🇸🇸 SOUTH SUDAN –
Gold Mining Projects
OVERVIEW
- Country: Republic of South Sudan
- Project Status: Interrupted (due to COVID-19 pandemic and security situation)
- Start Year: 2016
- Conclusion / Current Status: Operations suspended in 2020
- Minerals: Gold (Alluvial / Placer)
- Mining Type: Alluvial / Placer Gold Deposits
- License Areas:
♦ First License: 510 km², located ~2 hours south of Juba (Capital City)
♦ Second License: 1,100 km² concession area - Technology:
♦ DOVE EXPLORER® Portable Gold Processing Plant (Pilot Plant)
♦ Designed for alluvial exploration and mechanized gold recovery
♦ Equipped with vibrating screens, scrubbers, jig concentrators, centrifugal concentrators, and concentrating tables
♦ Environmentally friendly — 100% water recycling system, chemical-free operation
Project Background & Government Relations
Hon. James Wani Igga – Vice President of South Sudan (middle)
Hon. Minister Gabriel Thokuj Deng – Minister of Mining, South Sudan (left)
Dr. Fillip Sharifi – DOVE Group Chairman and CEO (right)
In 2016, Dr. Fillip Sharifi (CEO, DOVE Group) was officially invited to the Republic of South Sudan. During his visit, Dr. Sharifi held high-level meetings with:
- Hon. Gabriel Thokuj Dang – Minister of Mining
- Hon. Taban Deng Gai – Vice President
- Hon. James Wani Igga – Vice President
- Additional senior government ministers and officials
The Government of South Sudan warmly welcomed Dr. Sharifi and formally requested DOVE’s support in developing the nation’s gold and mineral resources. A particular priority was to provide technological solutions for the country’s large artisanal mining population, who were extracting gold manually and selling it illegally to smugglers across borders.
In recognition of DOVE’s proven global expertise, the government granted two large-scale gold mining licenses covering a combined area of more than 1,600 km².
Operations & Exploration
Following the award of licenses, DOVE:
- Registered a representative office in Juba.
- Imported and commissioned the first mechanized gold processing plant in South Sudan.
- Established a base camp and exploration program in the first license area (~510 km²).
- Deployed a DOVE EXPLORER® pilot plant to support exploration, sampling, and initial gold recovery.
- Conducted geological surveys and exploration in cooperation with:
♦ Ministry of Mining geologists
♦ Security team assigned by the Minister of Defence
This marked the first professional mechanized gold recovery operation in South Sudan.
Challenges & Interruption
- 2016–2020: Active exploration and pilot operations were carried out successfully.
- 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic forced DOVE to suspend operations and withdraw personnel.
- Current Status: Due to ongoing security concerns, field operations remain interrupted.
Significance & Legacy
- First mechanized gold processing plant introduced into South Sudan.
- Pioneered professional exploration and mineral recovery in licensed concession areas.
- Supported the government’s mission to formalize artisanal mining and prevent gold smuggling.
- Strengthened bilateral cooperation between DOVE Group and the Republic of South Sudan.
PHOTO GALLERY: DOVE GOLD MINING PROJECT IN SOUTH SUDAN
