Japan, May 15, 2026 (SUNA) – The Ambassador of Sudan to Japan, Al-Rayah Haidoub, met on Thursday at the embassy with the Director-General of the Sudanese–Japanese company Nipoin, Mr. Akaza Tokido, which began mining operations in Sudan after signing a contract with the Ministry of Minerals in 2015 in the Halfa area, within Block (50) covering 300 square kilometres in Arqin, Northern State. Mr. Akaza confirmed that the company commenced actual gold production at the site only at the end of October 2025, after overcoming several impediments. He expressed satisfaction with the start of production and outlined the company’s plans and preparations to expand its investments, noting that it intends to extend operations to another block in the same area. The company’s Director-General also said they are planning a visit to Sudan in June 2026 to sign a contract with the Ministry of Minerals to begin exploration for gold from tailings (“karta”), pending the issuance of an official licence from the ministry. For his part, Ambassador Al-Rayah Haidoub affirmed the mission’s readiness to provide all necessary facilitation to ensure the success of the current project and to assist through communications in overcoming any impediments, in cooperation with the Ministry of Minerals and the Geological Research Authority. He added that arrangements for the upcoming visit to Sudan will be followed up to ensure its success. It is worth noting that the embassy has been exerting efforts to attract further Japanese investment in gold mining and other minerals. Preparations are also underway for the visit of another Japanese company that has expressed its intention to invest in gold mining, with its delegation expected to visit Khartoum in mid-next month to sign a mining contract for another block. This success in attracting investment comes as one of the outcomes of a workshop organised by the embassy as part of Sudan’s participation in Expo Osaka last year, in cooperation with the Geological Research Authority, which was addressed by its Director-General, Dr. Ahmed Haroun.BH/BH