(JUBA) – The Ministry of Mining has issued new regulations to control gold trading and limit illegal mining operations across South Sudan. The directive signed by Minister Martin Gama Abucha on 6 November restricts the buying, selling and exporting of gold to companies that hold valid mineral trading licences.
Under the new order, firms with small scale mining licences can only sell their gold within South Sudan to registered holders of mineral trading licences. The Ministry said the measure aims to bring order to the country’s gold sector and ensure that all trading activities are properly documented and taxed.
The directive also sets the minimum quantity of gold that can be exported at 1,000 grams, equivalent to 1 kilogram. At the current market rate, 1 kilogram of gold is worth about 55 million South Sudanese Pounds (around 7,750 US Dollars).
In October, the Ministry of Mining suspended exploration and mining licences for several small scale companies operating in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, one of South Sudan’s richest gold producing regions. The suspension, the Ministry explained, is part of a wider plan to carry out a national geological survey to determine the country’s mineral reserves.
Officials say the new gold trade regulations are part of efforts to formalise the mining sector, reduce smuggling, and increase government revenue. South Sudan’s informal gold trade has long been dominated by unlicensed miners and traders, resulting in significant revenue losses for the government.
The Ministry added that strict enforcement measures will be put in place to ensure compliance with the new order, and that any company found violating the directive risks losing its licence.
The government has been encouraging investors to work within the law, noting that a regulated gold trade could become a key driver of South Sudan’s non oil economy in the coming years.
| Key Gold Regulation Highlights (Nov 2025) | Details |
|---|---|
| Only licensed mineral traders may buy, sell, or export gold | Enforced by Ministry of Mining |
| Small scale miners must sell locally | To registered traders only |
| Minimum gold quantity for export | 1 kilogram (1,000 grams) |
| Value of 1 kilogram of gold | SSP 55,000,000 ≈ USD 7,750 |
| Enforcement areas | Nationwide, starting with Western Bahr el Ghazal |
Analysts say the move could boost transparency in South Sudan’s gold sector if properly enforced. However, they also warn that without strong monitoring, illegal trade might continue underground.