Saudi Arabia-based Manafa International Trade and its Canadian partner Diamond Fields International received a license approving exploration of 115km west of Jeddah in 2010.
Commenting on the rich reserves Sudan mining minister Kamal Abdel Latif told Perth Now that reserves are very huge at 150 tons of gold and more than one million tons of copper.
However Diamond Fields estimations suggest copper reserves at less than half that amount.
Sudan has reportedly produced 41 tons of gold worth $2.5 billion this year and is aiming for another 50 tons in 2013.
The two states entered into a pact in 1974 to embark the exploration of Red Sea’s resources.
