Decline in Sudanese birth rates linked to oil pollution

Effects of different forms of mining on the health of inhabitants of mining areas were discussed in parliament this week.

MP Khalid Ali Fegeiri attributed the decline of fertility and birth rates among women in the areas of Balila and Moga in West Kordofan to the radiation the oil field in the vicinity.

Instead of having an average number of five children in a family, many women are incapable of getting pregnant or deliver only one or two children. Fegeiri said that the radiation and pollution in the area also leads to the death of livestock. He shared this information on Wednesday during parliamentary sessions. He added that both citizens and animals are effected by a trench, build by the government in the region. This trench has been build to defend the oilfields but has the effect of free restriction for the people and their livestock.

Effects of mercury used in gold mining

Another MP, Abdallah Deif has revealed the death of livestock in Abu Jubaiha area in South Kordofan. He blames the use of mercury for used for the extraction of gold in the mining areas. Earlier in August this year the Abu Jubaiha Citizens' Committee has called on all people living in the locality to oppose the establishment of gold mining companies in the area. They demanded the authorities to preserve the health of the population. One of the committee members explained the rejection followed after they received information from specialists about the dangers of mercury and cyanide used in gold mining. 

Chrome mining

A third MP, El Nur Dali Masali has pointed to the appearance of skin diseases. One specific problem is the finger nails of miners in extraction sites of the chrome areas in Ingassana Mountains in North Darfur getting loose and often falling out. The miners also fall victim to infections, measles, chest and skin diseases.

Increased Mining

Earlier Radio Dabanga reported an increase of the production of minerals in the first half of the year, especially in the sectors of traditional gold mining. People in northern Sudan have staged protests more than once in the recent past, against the use of mercury and cyanide by gold mining companies in the past. Last year, residents in northern Sudan also complained about an unusual high rate of cancer cases. They attributed it to the use of cyanide, which spreads through the air.