Published: March 6-2020
～Actual situation of mine development～
Gold is used as the base metal for jewelry.
Do you know how gold is mined?
According to research organizations, dangerous and illegal mining is currently occurring in developing countries.
When refining gold from ore, developing countries generally use a refining method called the "amalgam method." The amalgam method uses large amounts of mercury, which once caused Minamata disease, but because the work is carried out with light equipment and in a simple manner, it actually has an adverse effect on the human body.
In the mines of developing countries, where there are 15 million workers in 70 countries around the world, many children and women work in the mines to support their families, and their bodies are affected by the effects of mercury. The current situation is that children with functional disabilities and fetuses of pregnant women die after birth.
This kind of dangerous work is performed for low wages and is considered ethically problematic.
～What is Fairmined Gold? ～
The international non-profit organization ARM (Alliance Responsible Mining) was founded in 2004.
We support market development by setting standards to protect the human rights of people working in mines, such as improving the working environment, reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, and improving infrastructure.
Fairmined Gold is gold mined in mines certified by the international non-profit organization ARM. Currently, Fairmined certified minerals include "Fairmined Gold," "Fairmined Ecological Gold," and "Fairmined Silver." These are traded on top of incentives, which cover the additional costs associated with reducing the use of hazardous chemicals.
～Gold standards to be certified as Fairmined Gold～
For all precious metals, including gold mined by individual miners and small-scale mining organizations, to be certified as Fairmined, the following criteria apply:
Only gold that passes the above strict standards is certified as "Fairmined Gold."
In addition, "Fairmined Ecological Gold" is gold that has passed even stricter standards than this standard. (For example, gold is extracted without using chemicals itself.)
Currently, certified mining organizations sell an average of 3.5 kg of gold per month.
For every kilogram of Fairmined Gold sold to the market, accredited mining organizations can receive an incentive of US$4,000.
Purchasing Fairmined Gold will increase the number of Fairmined certified mines, directly contributing to protecting the natural environment in developing countries, reducing child labor, and contributing to miners, their families, and local communities. Masu.
Make a comment