Egypt launches campaign against illegal gold mining in Eastern Desert

Egypt's armed forces and police began a large campaign against illegal gold prospecting in the Eastern Desert, close to the country's southern border. The activity, known locally as "dahaba", involves individuals and organised groups digging for gold without a licence in remote desert areas.

The operation was carried out by military units together with civilian police and other state bodies. Officials described it as an effort to stop unlicensed mining, break up the networks behind it and secure the desert areas near the frontier, where control is difficult because of the terrain and distances involved.

The campaign mattered for several reasons. Unlicensed prospecting deprives the state of revenue from a valuable resource and is often tied to smuggling and informal labour, and it can put workers at serious risk. Analysts also linked parts of the trade to wider security concerns along the border with Sudan, where the war has changed movement and trade across the frontier.

The operation was later followed by further phases, and the army has continued to announce stages of the crackdown.