Fairtrade Gold
Around half of all gold mined is made into jewellery. Therefore, we must question and understand where our gold comes from.
Raw materials and tools Photo credit: Selina Pfrüner
Gold mining is one of the worlds most dangerous jobs. In unregulated mines, miners are treated and paid unfairly. They often work in hazardous conditions, without protective safety equipment and use harmful chemicals like mercury to extract gold, which can cause health problems and contaminate local water supplies. 90% of gold miners work in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mines (ASM). In many countries, 40 - 50% of the ASM workforce are women they rely on small scale mining to support their families and their communities. In some cases, children are forced to work in the mines to increase their family income. This is due to the high levels of poverty in small scale mining communities. Fairtrade works solely with artisanal and small-scale miners.
A worker shows gold extracted from the washing area, where gold is separated from the soil, at the Limata co-operative, part of CECOMSAP, Ananea, Puno, Peru
(Photographer: Eduardo Martino, all rights reserved Fairtrade International)
Buying Fairtrade Gold makes a real difference to the lives of ASM miners, their families and their communities. Fairtrade Gold is sourced exclusively from mines that meet the Fairtrade Gold Standard. Fairtrade tackles dangerous working conditions, ensuring that Fairtrade mines follow strict requirements on working conditions where miners have the health and safety training, and equipment that they need. Fairtrade ensures that ASM miners are treated fairly. Workers in Fairtrade certified mines receive a guaranteed Minimum Price for their gold as well as a Fairtrade Premium. Miners can reinvest the Fairtrade premium for community development projects, or improving their business. Fairtrade Gold prevents child labour. Miners working in Fairtrade certified mines must have a Child Protection Policy in Place and only mines that do not use child labour can be Fairtrade certified.
Gold miners at the Limata co-operative, part of CECOMSAP, Ananea, Puno, Peru
(Photographer: Eduardo Martino, all rights reserved Fairtrade International)
Last year I registered as a Fairtrade Goldsmith on the Fairtrade website. This means I can purchase certified Fairtrade Gold and precious metals from authorised suppliers and support Fairtrade certified artisanal miners. I've since made several ring commissions using Fairtrade Gold and one of my goals this year is to design a small collection using Fairtrade Gold.
By purchasing Fairtrade Gold jewellery, you are supporting small-scale miners to receive a fair deal for their hard work, as well as protecting the environment and making life better for themselves and their communities.If you’re interested in commissioning a piece of Fairtrade Gold jewellery, get in touch.
