At least one-quarter of Sudan could be rich territory for gold mining, making it a hot-spot for foreign companies exploring there.
In recent years, individual mining has reached unprecedented proportions and figures indicate that at least 50,000 people are believed to be working in Sudan's northern desert.
The Sudanese government has tried to discourage gold mining in the past because of the deadly risks involved.
However, it has proved a lifeline for thousands of people as the price of gold has soared.
Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall reports.
