More than
150 million people
worldwide depend
on artisanal mining.
WHY FAIR GOLD
More than 90 % of miners work in small-scale mining.
This makes small-scale mining one of the most important economic factors in regions where there are hardly any alternative sources of income.
However, due to the lack of organizational structures, workers in small-scale mining are exploited and underpaid in many places.
Child Labor
is a Big Problem
Child labor is not uncommon, and the number of children working in small-scale mining is increasing.
The payment for gold mining is not enough to feed a family or to provide children with an adequate education.
You can read the full report by the International Labour Organization to learn more about the problems of child labor in mining.
1 Million
children work in small-scale mining
150 Million
people depend on artisanal and small-scale mining.
Artisanal Mining is Important
Millions of people worldwide depend directly or indirectly on artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Impressive when you consider that artisanal and small-scale mining accounts for just about 15% of global gold mining.
Small-scale mining done right has the greatest possible positive impact for millions of people. Get an insight of how Fair Gold is impacting miners by reading the latest Fairmined premium report.
Recycled Gold
is no Alternative
Recycled gold is an important supplement to cover the demand for gold.
Unfortunately, the gold supplied for recycling is not even enough for a quarter of the world‘s demand, which is increasing even further. As a matter of fact, mining remains the most important source of gold and the only source of income for millions of people.
By choosing fair gold from responsible mining, you are actively supporting the people at the very beginning of the supply chain. Fair gold provides them with a secure livelihood and promotes the sustainable development of local communities.
23 %
of the worldwide gold demand can be met with recycled gold.
180 Million
tons of toxic waste are produced by irresponsible mining.
People & Nature at Risk
People risk their lives by going into the mines without
protective clothing and exposing themselves to chemicals such as cyanide and mercury.
The toxic substances do not only endanger the health of the workers. Catastrophic environmental damage is the result. Due to a lack of technical equipment and knowledge about the fatal effects on nature, chemicals are not disposed of properly. They flow into waters from which drinking water is obtained and contaminated fish is being consumed.
Learn more about the environmental damage of irresponsible mining (ext. link)
Fair Gold is Trustworthy
Buying fair gold from responsible small-scale mining ensures that people work under dignified and safe conditions. At the same time, the environment is protected and social inequalities are tackled sustainably.
The traceability and physical separation demanded by Fairmined and Fairtrade standards, as well as the auditing by independent certification organizations, ensure that no gold from conflict regions or illegally operating mines is wrongly declared as Fairmined or Fairtrade certified.
100 %
Transparency & Traceability
NEWS
There is a lot of talk about the gold mining industry.
While we try to gather as much information as possible on our website, there is more out there. We collected some media reports about the current situation in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector for your research.
Die dunkle Seite des Goldes
«Détour doré» - Goldstudie 2020
Swissaid, 2020 - Photo © Flickr
Ghana: Kinderarbeit belastet Lieferketten im Goldhandel
Raffinerien riskieren, von gefährlicher Kinderarbeit im Kleingoldbergbau zu profitieren
Human Rights Watch, 2015
Weiterlesen 
Gefährlicher Goldabbau
"Ein Ehering produziert 20 Tonnen Giftmüll"
Spiegel Online, 2008
Weiterlesen
Out of the shadows
Business relationships between industrial gold mines in Africa and refineries.
Research conducted by SWISSAID, March 2023
Read the full study by SWISSAID
The Toxic Toll of Gold
Mercury exposure can be deadly. SO why are gold miners in Zimbabwe using the dangerous chemical - and risking their lives and the health of their communities in the process?
Read the full article by Global Press Journal
Golden Detour
The hidden face of the gold trade between the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.
A SWISSAID study, 2020
Read the full study by SWISSAIDThe Hidden Cost of Jewelry
For millions of workers, gold and diamond mining is an important source of income. But the conditions under which gold and diamonds are mined can be brutal. Children have been injured and killed when working in small-scale gold or diamond mining pits.
Child Labor in Mining and Global Supply Chains
More than one million children are engaged in child labour in
mines and quarries. This a serious violation of children’s rights that puts children’s health and safety at risk and deprives them of an education.
SHOP
Gold & Silver with an Impact.
Jewelers & goldsmiths can find a wide range of semi-finished jewelry products out of certified Fairtrade Gold & Silver as well as Fairmined Gold & Silver.
Are you looking for an ethical investment? We offer Fairtrade Gold bars.
