Gold and precious metals

Fairtrade Gold is more than just gold, it’s gold with heart. Because we care about the people who mine this precious mineral as well as the environment surrounding the mines they work in.

90% of gold miners worldwide work in artisanal and small-scale mines (ASM). This makes an estimated 100 million people worldwide who rely on the income of this activity to support their families and communities, the second largest workforce to agriculture. Miners and their families often face precarious living and working conditions – poverty, informality and high dependency from intermediaries is widespread. To address these issues our mission is to connect artisanal and small-scale organised miners disadvantaged by global trade with consumers, promote fairer trading conditions by partnering with the gold sector and support and coach miners to combat poverty, protect the environment and take more control over their lives.

By creating fully transparent and traceable supply chains together with refining partners, consumers, brands and retailers can have confidence that miners are getting a fairer deal and responsible practices are used and continuously improved.

 "Our vision is a world in which artisanal and small-scale miners can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and decide on their future in an intact environment."

How Fairtrade gold makes a difference

Fairtrade combines different approaches to support miners in driving change in their own organisations. The Fairtrade Gold Standard includes strict requirements on working conditions, occupational health and safety, handling chemicals, women’s rights, child labour and protection of the environment such as water sources and forests.

In addition to the standard we work on technical assistance, accompaniment, offer capacity building opportunities and both advocate and raise awareness on the importance of gold made fairly. This is how Fairtrade makes a difference for planet, people and prosperity. For certified mines this means in particular:

  • Market access and longstanding partnerships: Transparent and long-term trading relationships make certified mining organizations independent and in a better negotiating position, distancing themselves from informal commercial relations or the need to depend on local intermediaries. The Fairtrade Minimum Price provides certified gold mines a safety net.   
  • Fairtrade Premium: Fairtrade certified mines receive a Fairtrade premium of USD 2000 per kilogram of gold on top of the agreed sales price. In their cooperatives, miners decide together how the premium should be used to benefit them, their families and the mining community. They invest in improvement of operational processes to increase productivity and reduce the environmental impact of their activities as well as community projects such as schools, water supply and health centers.  
  •  Democracy and Governance: Fairtrade certified mines are democratically organised and decide collectively on investments. Beyond that Fairtrade is the only major global sustainability scheme which is 50% governed by producers. Which means decision making at Fairtrade is shared equally.    
  • Enviromental protection: In addition to social and economic benefits, Fairtrade certified mines must comply with national environmental laws and follow clear guidelines for the use of chemicals in gold extraction. Chemicals must be used in a way they do not cause environmental pollution and do not affect people’s health. They must be reduced to a minimum and where possible eliminated over an agreed time period.

Interested in partnering with Fairtrade in the gold sector?

Explore our dedicated page for businesses to find more information.

Where to buy jewelry, watches and other Fairtrade Gold products?

Please visit the local website of your country to find out more about brands and gold smiths offering Fairtrade Gold products:

Registered Goldsmiths can be found in your neighborhood worldwide. Visit the interactive map and find them!

Get to know Fairtrade Gold Producers producers (in German only)

Get in touch

Fairtrade has expert staff at mine and market levels, with relationships across the supply chain. Whether related to compliance, supply or market linkages, our team is here to support.

If you’d like to partner with Fairtrade or have any questions please do get in touch: info@fairtrade.gold

FAQs

  • Is it not better to use recycled gold rather than newly mined Fairtrade gold?

  • Why is Fairtrade gold only sourced from artisanal and small-scale mines (ASM)?

  • Is the use of toxic chemicals allowed in Fairtrade certified mines?

  • How do you ensure that the Fairtrade standards have been met in certified mines?

  • Does the Fairtrade Mark guarantee traceability?