Fairmined Impact
A cornerstone of our ethos is to be a part of changing the global gold industry for the better. Each piece of gold that you buy from us supports the Fairmined Credits system and your purchase directly impacts one of the Fairmined licensed mines.
Why Fairmined?
The reason we prioritize supporting the Fairmined initiative over recycled gold is that working with recycled gold does not have a material impact on the global supply chain. Gold can be mined, melted into a bar, melted again, and certified as recycled.
Fairmined, on the other hand, is making material changes to the small scale artisanal gold mining industry. Over 90% of the global gold mining workforce is concentrated in small artisanal mines. Mines that are licensed Fairmined adhere to strict standards for workers' safety, rights, and benefits, as well as environmental protections.
Workers' Rights
Many of these mines are located in parts of the world where there aren't many choices for employment. Fairmined mines provide safe and stable employment for local community members. Mines that are licensed Fairmined adhere to strict standards for workers' safety, rights, and benefits.
All workers have proper safety equipment, as well as healthcare, and pensions. One mine we visited in Colombia, Chede Mine, even provided mental health services for the miners.
Environmental Protections
Fairmined mines do not use Mercury and have strict environmental guidelines around disposal of chemicals.
There are also a few mines that produce Eco Fairmined gold. This means that the gold was refined without use of any chemicals whatsoever — a very challenging and time-consuming process. Eco Fairmined mines also regenerate the land with native plants after a couple decades of mining.
Many mines have initiatives to clean up local rivers and lands. Others create farms on their land to produce coffee, honey, etc.
Community Improvement
Fairmined mines make use of all materials in their mines. Nothing is wasted. They take the leftover ore and build local roads.
Each Fairmined mine also has initiatives for community improvement — from building schools, to elder care facilities, to providing presents for local children during the holidays. These mines are truly pillars of their local communities.
Traceability
Fairmined gold is entirely traceable from mine to you. Each player in the Fairmined supply chain — from mine, to refinery, to supplier, to designer — must be licensed and undergo yearly audits by the Alliance for Responsible Mining.
Fairmined gold costs more to mine and, therefore, is more costly to you. You always have the option to purchase your piece in Fairmined gold.
Now as one of the first brands supporting Fairmined Credits, each standard piece you buy from us in conventional and recycled gold will also support small artisanal Fairmined gold mines.
