The issue of illegal gold mining in southern Egypt has turned into armed confrontations that resulted in the death of two officers, the arrest of hundreds of people, and the seizure of thousands of bullets.
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Colonel Ahmed Atman Ali, the official military spokesman for the armed forces, announced during a press conference held on Thursday the results of the first three phases of the "Southern Shield" campaign, which aims to combat illegal gold mining in the Eastern Desert, announcing the readiness to start the fourth phase of operations on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The two officers who were killed during the clashes
The military spokesman revealed the killing of Colonel Ahmed Samir, Chief of Staff of the Southern Border Guard, and Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Gouda, Head of Operations of one of the Border Guard battalions operating within the Southern Military Region, during an exchange of fire while confronting elements linked to illegal mining activities.
He stressed that the campaign aims to impose state sovereignty over its lands and protect its mineral wealth, in light of the presence of armed elements in some mining areas.
How did the "Southern Shield" campaign begin?
One of the key milestones of the campaign dates back to June 22, 2026, when the Armed Forces announced, via the Ministry of Defense website, the implementation of a large-scale security operation in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior within the Southern Military Region.
According to the official statement, the campaign targeted hotspots used by criminal groups and networks for multiple activities, including illegal gold mining, arms and drug trafficking, and irregular migration.
The operations continued over the following months, before the military spokesman announced the completion of three phases and preparations for the start of the fourth phase on Saturday, November 7. He explained that the forces had issued prior warnings, established roadblocks, and communicated with tribal leaders and elders to give those in the targeted areas the opportunity to cease their activities and surrender.
What does the haul of the seized items reveal?
The military spokesman announced the arrest of 151 Egyptians and 540 foreigners, in addition to 6,614 people who he said surrendered themselves voluntarily, which necessitates distinguishing between those arrested and those who took the initiative to surrender themselves, without considering all of these people guilty of committing crimes.
The seizures included 73 metal detectors and 433 power generators, as well as thousands of tents, huts and facilities that had been erected in the mining areas.
Who are the "gold diggers"?
The term "gold diggers" is used to refer to those who work in illegal gold mining, particularly in desert and mountainous regions. This activity encompasses various levels, ranging from individuals searching for ore using limited means to groups possessing equipment for extraction, transportation, and processing.
The exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in Egypt is subject to a licensing system regulated by mineral wealth laws, including Law No. 198 of 2014 and its amendments by Law No. 145 of 2019.
The Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority explains that licensing and technical oversight aim to regulate resource exploitation, monitor mine operations, and protect workers and the environment.
What is the connection between the Sudanese war and Egyptian gold?
The war in Sudan, which has been ongoing since April 2023, adds a regional dimension to the issue of mining and smuggling on Egypt’s southern border, after Sudanese gold trade became linked to financing and smuggling networks during the conflict.
A UN Security Council panel of experts documented, in a report issued in January 2024, the role of gold in financing parties to the Sudanese conflict and the expansion of smuggling networks due to weak oversight of the sector. The report indicated that gold continued to be a source of revenue during the war, with a significant portion of production traded outside official channels.
In a study published by Chatham House in March 2025, researchers Ahmed Suleiman and Suleiman Baldo explained that the Sudanese gold trade has become linked to regional networks involving producers, traders, middlemen, and smugglers. The study also highlighted the difficulty in determining the true volume of gold traded informally across borders due to the lack of accurate and comprehensive data on these transactions.
Heavy weapons and armed clashes
The military spokesman said that some mining areas witnessed the presence of armed elements with unlicensed weapons, and that the conflict over control of gold sites was accompanied by clashes between armed groups.
He also announced the seizure of automatic weapons, ammunition, and an RPG launcher as part of the results of the three phases of the campaign.
The military spokesperson confirmed that the operations are being conducted within Egyptian borders and denied targeting civilians, noting coordination with the Sudanese side in securing the border. These statements remain the official narrative regarding the operations, given the lack of sufficient independent information to verify the details of all the field engagements.
Phase Four: Testing Control of Gold Regions
The military spokesman set Saturday, November 7, 2026, as the date for the start of the fourth phase of the “Southern Shield” campaign, with the continuation of border guard patrols and coordination between the concerned authorities to prevent the return of illegal activities.
Gold that begins its journey from an unlicensed mine may pass through a series of intermediaries before reaching the markets, making tracking smuggling routes and uncovering the end beneficiaries an essential part of confronting the phenomenon.
The issue goes beyond armed confrontations in the Eastern Desert, to include protecting borders and mineral resources, regulating the mining sector, combating smuggling, and preventing the exploitation of the population’s need for work in activities that could turn into a source of violence and pollution.
