Gold, Minerals and the Economy of Bir Tawil

The Eastern Desert sits on the Arabian-Nubian Shield, an ancient body of crystalline rock that hosts gold deposits worked since the time of the pharaohs. Ancient Egyptian gold mines lie across the wider region, and modern industrial gold mines operate elsewhere in Egypt's Eastern Desert and in Sudan.

Over the past two decades, small-scale gold mining has spread across northern Sudan and southern Egypt, driven by high gold prices and metal detectors. Camps have been reported in and around Bir Tawil. These operations are unregulated, often dangerous, and commonly use mercury to extract gold, which poisons workers and water.

The trade is linked to smuggling routes, and in Sudan to the financing of armed groups during the civil war. That is one reason the region is insecure for visitors.

There is no confirmed oil or gas in Bir Tawil. Its value, compared with the coastal Halaib Triangle, is limited by the absence of a coastline, water, roads, or power. Solar irradiance is very high, which is sometimes cited as a long-term opportunity for solar energy.

The Imperial Constitution of Brendania favours lawful private enterprise, property, investment, and trade. The Empire's development of Bir Tawil will be lawful, environmentally responsible, and respectful of the communities of the region, and it opposes the mercury pollution caused by unregulated mining.