The Prospect of Gold
Imagine this: Finding a piece of gold worth enough to change your life. Now think of what you could do with that money. You could buy that car you've always wanted, maybe open your own business, or travel the world. This is what is fueling a boom in gold prospecting in Northern Sudan. According to the Los Angeles Times, people from all over Sudan and surrounding areas are flocking to this region in order to dig for gold, hoping that they will be the one to strike it rich.
But it’s not only glitz, glamour, and fantasies which bring people here. Sometimes it’s a matter of survival. The L.A. Times suggests that many of these prospectors -- even college graduates -- have experienced extreme difficulties finding jobs in a country where nearly half the population lives in poverty. So they come to the desert, tools in tow, and begin the long and often unrewarding search for gold.
But the conditions are harsh. In the last year and a half, 40 people have died from malnutrition, thirst or injuries sustained from fighting with other gold diggers.
So why do people stay even after they find gold? Babiker Adam, a farmer who has joined the prospecting contagion, explains the draw to the L.A. Times.
"When you find the gold, it attracts you to stay longer. You will never say, 'I've got enough gold.' Never. I am staying here for two months. My children ask me to come home. But the gold is asking me to stay so I can have more. This is a chance in a lifetime."
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