Sustainable Mines Program:
be a partner for change
What is the Sustainable Mines Program?
The Sustainable Mines Program is a collaborative initiative developed by the Alliance for Responsible Mining for positively transforming artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and providing an ethical sourcing solution to the industry.
Together with our allies, we promote sustainability as a progressive path towards a responsible, productive and profitable supply chain.
An alliance to create ASM responsible gold supply chains:
program value proposition
1. A collaborative ecosystem to strengthen synergies among miners, the mining industry, implementers, governments, development cooperation and philanthropic foundations for the benefit of all.
2. Implementation of recognized sustainability standards for ASM developed by ARM and aligned with other industry initiatives: the Fairmined standard and the CRAFT Code.
3. A future vision for miners and a clear roadmap for the development of mining operations that follow the principles of sustainability while safeguard profits, the environment and people.
4. Due diligence compliance aligned with ESG criteria (Environmental, Social and Governance), the OECD requirements, as well as other industry standards.
5. Flexible industry engagement.
We offer the industry multiple lines of engagement with artisanal and small-scale mining, according to their needs, sustainability strategies and market differentiation.
6. Contribution to the 2030 Agenda for fulfilling UN Sustainable Development Goals, through environmental, social and organizational ASM metrics.
How can we achieve this?
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X
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And by means of:
Annual Sustainability Plans:
Actions to strengthen mining organizations organizational, technical, environmental, social and trading capacities.
Why become a partner for change through the Sustainable Mines Program?
For Miners
You will implement more responsible and productive practices by following a path of continuous improvement that benefits your mining organization’s profitability and cares for people and the environment to finally become a model of success.
- Network with a market that offers better trading conditions.
- Partial funding of your annual sustainability plans to improve organizational, technical and environmental aspects.
- Personalized mining and business technical assistance.
- Knowledge and management of your business.
- Productivity improvement.
- Advances in business legitimacy and formalization.
- Financial award to be used in your sustainability plan when meeting all Fairmined requirements.
For Gold-buying Companies
Being an active participant in ASM positive transformation and contributing to the creation of responsible supply chains.
- Including metals from artisanal and small-scale mining organizations committed to responsible practices with people and the environment into your sourcing model.
- Telling your clients about the positive impact of buying products made of ASM’s metals.
- Including in your impact reports your participation and support in the development of sustainable plans for the continuous improvement of mining organizations.
- Complying with international due diligence regulations and standards.
- Being recognized for your contribution to the production of responsible minerals.
- Documentary traceability services.
For Mineral Traders and Refiners
Being an active participant in ASM positive transformation and contributing to the creation of responsible supply chains.
- Including in your impact reports your participation and support in the development of sustainable plans for the continuous improvement of mining organizations.
- Gaining visibility and recognition as a stakeholder in transparent and responsible supply chains.
- Ensuring compliance with due diligence processes for responsible gold supply chains.
- Obtaining guidance on sourcing from ASM mining communities.
- Being recognized for your contribution to the production of responsible minerals.
For Donors
Gain reliability and peace of mind working with globally recognized standards, solid due diligence and concrete sustainability results driven by empowered miners and national stakeholders with excellent value for money.
- Being recognized for your contribution to the production of responsible minerals.
- Including in your impact reports your participation and support in the development of sustainable plans for the continuous improvement of mining organizations.
- Addressing your own indicator agenda framed in the 2030 Agenda.
- Supporting the reduction of ecological footprint.
- Contributing to the conservation and sustainability of artisanal mining communities.
- Improving the quality of life of mining communities.
For Governments
Contribute to the formalization of the ASM sector.
- Supporting the formalization of the ASM sector.
- Supporting regulatory compliance (technical, mining, business, legal, among others) through tools and strategies adjusted to ASM capacity.
- Promoting a comprehensive and holistic development of mining communities, fostering horizontal relationships among multiple stakeholders in the supply chain.
- Mitigating main ASM-related risks such as child labor, gender discrimination, armed conflict, lack of employment guarantees, among others.
- Supporting the country’s economy by promoting exports of responsibly mined gold while ensuring compliance with OECD Due Diligence.
For Allies Organizations
Work with us for a responsible, sustainable and profitable ASM. Get access to knowledge, experience and reliability of globally recognized standards while bringing your unique added value.
- Insight into the methodology implemented in the Program.
- Experience in the implementation of the CRAFT Code.
- Field activities involving ASM and gold supply chain stakeholders.
- Knowledge of the ASM context in different intervening regions.
- Access to assurance protocols framed in CRAFT and Fairmined and integrated with other initiatives (LBMA, RJC, RMI, EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, OECD, etc.)
- Training on the implementation of due diligence.
- Access to assessments, sustainability plans and follow-up reports from mining organizations.
- Direct contact with miners.
How to engage?
Contribute to the positive transformation of miners that align with your sustainability objectives.
The Sustainable Mines Program provides companies in the gold industry with three engagement models at the different levels of the pyramid:
1. Endorse and connect
Support mining organizations in the Wake Up level
- Philanthropic projects with a development focus.
- Support miners to formalize, reach OECD Due Diligence compliance levels and establish a formal supply chain.
- Endorse through the payment of the sustainability plan (varying according to project, starting from 25,000USD)
- Make CSR impact claims
2. Source and endorse
Support mining organizations in the Compliance and Embracing sustainability levels.
- Buy traceable CRAFT-conformant gold
- From miners complying with OECD Due Diligence and committed to implementing additional sustainability topics.
- Endorse through a sustainability and development fee of 1,500USD/kg (+kickoff fee 6,000)
- Make Corporate Social Responsibility impact claims.
3. Source and empower
Support mining organizations in the Sustainability leaders level.
- Buy traceable, Fairmined certified gold
- From miners complying with demanding economic, technical, labor, social and environmental practices
- Certified by independent auditing bodies and supported by ARM
- Empower through the premium and development fee (4,700USD/kg)
- Use the consumer label and make product claims and Corporate Social Responsability impact claims
Success Stories:
ASM Transformation
The mines that have joined the program and grown over time are proof that it is possible to embark on the path towards responsible and sustainable ASM.
Allies
Minas y Cuevas
Honduras
Support to Minas y Cuevas, a mining organization pioneering formalization processes, to continue their mining community practices.
- Development of the organizational structure, internal work rules and work organization.
- Accounting and traceability.
- CRAFT report for due diligence to gain reliability and meet buyer needs.
- Replacement and implementation of new technologies.
- Reduction of mercury use by more than 90%.
- Construction of safe mine tunnels.
- Use of personal protective equipment.
Allies
ÍQUIRA
Colombia
Íquira: An example of responsible mining in Colombia.
- A Fairmined-certified mining organization that has held the certification for the longest time.
- In 2014 they managed to make their first gold export.
- Their gold has been used for crafting Chopard’s Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or and the Nobel Peace Prize.
- They have exported to some countries in Europe and North America.
- 100% of their Fairmined gold production is exported.
Allies
CECOMIP
Peru
- A Fairmined-certified mine that is currently on its way to achieving the Fairmined Ecological Gold certification.
- They have integrated clean technologies and stopped using mercury in 2020.
- They fertilize soil with compost they make from their organic waste.
- They have already exported to major buyers in France and Switzerland, building trustful relationships.
Allies
ASOMUSELUPAZ
Colombia
Mobile processing plant for women mineral selectors in Cauca, Colombia.
- An opportunity for regulatory compliance and free-mercury processing.
- Approved environmental permit to use our mobile gold processing plant by gravimetric methods.
- 57 women selectors got benefited.