Gold
In September 2012, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir opened the country’s first gold refinery and it is speculated to be one of the largest such constructions in Africa. The refinery will produce more than 328 tonnes of gold annually. Economic analysts say that the refinery is part of government’s strategy to make up for lost oil revenue after the South Sudan split of 2011.
The refinery will also be able to process silver and its opening should reduce the amount of gold and silver smuggled to other markets. According to Reuters, Sudan hopes to double its gold revenues this year to $3 billion. In August 2012, the finance ministry of Sudan said that the export of gold ore from Sudan would be prohibited once the refinery was opened.
Read more about this topic: Economy Of Sudan
Famous quotes containing the word gold:
“Burning hot is the ground, liquid gold is the air;
Whoever looks round sees Eternity there.”
—John Clare (1793–1864)
“The enquiring fields, courtesies
And tribulations of the air
Be still and give them peace:
The girl in the gold hair
With her young man in clover
In shadow of the day’s glare ...”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“An inch of gold can not buy an inch of time.”
—Chinese proverb.