At no other conference will the voices of jewelers, mining companies, investors, museums, environmental organizations and scientists be given the equal weight necessary to spark critical conversations. GOLD is unique in its approach and aims to create a roundtable environment where attendees can reach across the "table" and engage with unlikely conversation partners.

*Valentine's Day 2011:
That which has never moved is now moving!*

Two weeks ago a South American gold mining cooperative in
Cotapata, Bolivia became the first ever Certified Fairtrade gold
mine in the world and lastweek the Condoto Iró Community
Council from the Oro Verde (Green Gold) initiative, were issued
their Fairtrade and Fairmined certificates for Ecological Gold

These certifications represent a breakthrough in recognizing
and valuing responsible mining practices, a breakthrough in a
fair opportunity for artisanal and small scale miners, their
families and communities everywhere, and a breakthrough in
a world where we have repeatedly turned a blind eye to the lack
of integrity behind the goods and services we buy.

Distinct from any time before, people now will be able to purchase
jewelry they can fully cherish and be proud of where it came from
and what it represents, jewelry created from gold that has been
independently certified to have been mined and processed in a
socially and environmentally responsible manner where the miners
have been paid a premium for their stewardship of the land and for
developing model, sustainable communities.

A difference is being made.

Artisanal and small-scale miners produce about 15% of world gold
supplies annually yet comprise roughly 90% of the workforce in gold
extraction. These artisanal miners are traditionally marginalized, are
often forced to mine illegally and are among the worlds most poor
and disadvantaged. The launch of Fairtrade and Fairmined certified
gold provides a lifeline for communities who find themselves at the
mercy of volatile markets when agriculture and other livelihoods are
not viable.

Jorge Perea, community leader of Oro Verde in Condoto, Colombia
said: ‘We consider Fairtrade and Fairmined certification meets the
needs of miners seeking to improve their quality of life and
strengthen our identity as an ethnic group, which was the aim of this
worldwide process inspired by Oro Verde. Thanks to the hard work
of ARM to gather the efforts of the mining communities in Latin
America and the alliance with the Fairtrade system, we celebrate
the launch of a label that makes our common dream come true.
The golden doors of fairness are now open for all the small miners
in the world’.

Harriet Lamb, executive director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said:
‘The reality of gold production is at complete odds with what
consumers imagine. Consumers care about the conditions faced
by miners. This is why Fairtrade and Fairmined gold has the
potential to tackle unfair supply chains, improve working and
environmental conditions and deliver tangible and sustainable
economic benefits to impoverished communities. Now that is
what I call a labor of love.’

Quoted from the Oro Verde website, 'Green Gold Products go
beyond the sphere of beauty to locate us in a world of means
and senses where one of the most biodiverse and needed
regions in the planet is socially and environmentally protected.'

There is a growing band of jewelers, designers and goldsmith that
have embarked on a mission to have the jewelry industry be
accountable and responsible for creating and selling jewelry that has
a transparent chain of custody without abuse, neglect or disregard for
the earth or its people. Obviously the task is daunting and still is
completely worth the time, effort and attention. This travesty has been happening on our watch and it's our issue to address.

That you have read this far has me suspect that you're someone who
has an active commitment to life working and I appreciate the courage
required to take actions in the face of seemingly insurmountable
forces and circumstances. Here are a couple of links that provide
further opportunities for ethical action.

http://www.nodirtygold.org/
http://www.fairjewelry.org/
http://www.earthworksaction.org/home.cfm

Thanks for your commitment!

Toby Pomeroy

Recognizing that small-scale mining strengthens communities and has the potential to redeem economies in the third world, the FJA will support mining projects enabling miners and their products to reach fair trade certification.

FJA is a program launched in the UK and USA by Fairtrade jewelers and ethical jewelery advocates Greg Valerio and Marc Choyt. Greg has been a pioneer and foundational to the international development and realization of fair trade jewelery and traceable supply chains from mine to retail.

In December 2010, the world has it’s very first Fairtrade Fairmined gold mine in Bolivia. The final sign-off took place by FLO (Fairtrade Labeling Organization) certifying the Cotapata mines, in the mountains of Bolivia, as Fairtrade. This represents a monumental moment in the world of gold mining and responsible jewelry. The work between Fairtrade Labeling Organization (FLO) and Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) has finally proven that a certifiable, traceable and transparent gold supply chain from small scale miners to the end consumer is possible.

This is the first ‘pebble’ that will start an eventual avalanche of opportunities for the marginalized miners in our world. With the logical conclusion being the emergence of a new class of mining sector, namely the Responsible Artisanal Community Based Organization (RACBO). RACBO’s will be as organized, efficient, articulate, as their larger cousins in the large-scale mining sector, but will by default drive more ultimate benefit to the communities and countries they live in. Also, with their direct link through the Fairtrade labeling scheme with the consumer and the jeweler they will have a dedicated route to market for their product.

There are many people to recognize in this achievement. All the dedicated team at ARM, at Fairtrade Foundation, and Fairtrade Labeling, the dedication and commitment of the small scale miners in South America, the Standards Committee who labored long hours in defining what Fairtrade Fairmined gold was going to look like. Also, the many jewelers and jewelry companies who believed in the idea, launched out on a course of being intentionally ethical in their practice long before the international Fairtrade system was able to deliver up a certified mine. Everyone took a risk. That risk has paid off.

http://blog.gregvalerio.com/ ]]> Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:23:07 +0000 http://www.tobypomeroy.com/home/news/resignation/ Open Source Minerals, founded a few years ago by Mike Angenent, offers ethical, traceable and transparent sourcing for diamonds and other gems. It has become one of the most respected organizations in the ethical sourcing community, providing ethically sourced diamonds and gems to jewelers interested in exceptional standards. Now, Open Source Minerals has resigned from the RJC. This resignation, as Mike’s letter below reveals, was catalyzed by RJC’s stance in the allowance of diamonds from the Marange field in Zimbabwe.

The Kimberley Certification Process (KP) is certifying these Marange diamonds. KP has been the backbone of the diamond trade, as it was developed in response to the blood diamond tragedy in which over three million Africans died mostly between 1990 and 2000. RJC is backing KP, despite the fact that human rights violations, including rape and murder, have been widely documented in Marange.

This resignation is an important development for those who follow these issues closely. It is further evidence of the split between the large scale companies and trade organizations that drive the RJC agenda, and the smaller organizations, such as Fair Jewelry Action, interested in developing more comprehensive standards based not only on traceability and transparency, but human rights and environmental justice.

Below is Mike’s letter to the RJC ~ Toby Pomeroy

*******************************************************************

Due to RJC’s decision to welcome the Kimberley Certification Process’s (KP) agreement regarding Zimbabwe, I decided that it would not befit Open Source Minerals to retain it’s RJC membership.

I can understand, to some extent, that multi-stakeholder decisions require compromises and should be considered professionally and not personally. I do not however, share that view. Decisions like these are never merely professional, as they affect the lives and livelihoods of many. My concern for the lives of the small scale is therefore very personal and should be the main concern in any policy making decision.

Furthermore, it is one thing to come to a professional compromise and another to acknowledge the same as being “Responsible.”

Responsibility is about the Council’s and its member’s bigger role in society. Establishing a Code of Conduct should not externalize costs by expensive auditing measures, but should first and foremost lead to true empowerment and shareholding of communities.

Therefore, responsibility should in the first place extend to the villagers of Marange in Zimbabwe that discovered the diamonds in 2006. These are among the poorest people in the world – despite the $56 million sold in the recent tenders. Any Council claiming Responsibility, as an absolute requirement, should take stewardship into assuring that the basic rights of these people are met.

There is also a Supreme Court order* regarding legal ownership of Chiadzwa which has been ignored by the KP. While the KP might have its reasons to ignore it under the mandate they have, I do not think it befits the RJC to do the same. Compliance with national law is a basic requirement for all who claim responsible practices and especially for those who promote them.

I understand that under the current definition of ‘blood diamonds’ it has been difficult for the KP members to file Marange’s production as such. Semantics however should not be the main concern when people’s lives are involved. However difficult it may be, it is again one thing to come to such a decision and another to acknowledge it.

While this case could have been a clear statement by the RJC of its independence and that it is living up to the internationally applicable standards they have set out in their Ethical and Responsible sourcing / Stewardship, it has now become a meager compromise to a decision that “if implemented could provide hope”.

That the decisions and demands are not being implemented should not come as a surprise.

*There are pending legal disputes over ownership (Chiadzwa) after Africa Consolidated Resources was taken over illegally and forcefully by state owned companies.

Pending or not, there seem to be some Supreme Court orders that where disregarded by the KP.

Mike Angenent

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