'Standard Zero' seeks to certify gold

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'Standard Zero' seeks to certify gold

November 13, 2007

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Washington, D.C.—The Madison Dialogue, an initiative established to promote ethical and fair-trade jewelry products amongst a cross-section of industry representatives, has published its second white paper entitled "Getting to Fair Trade Gold and Jewelry" by Cristina Echavarria, secretary general of the Association for Responsible Mining (ARM).

The paper discusses the Standard Zero process, which will certify that gold from artisanal and small-scale miners meets social, environmental and human rights standards, and provides added economic benefit to local communities.

The project seeks to link an emerging grassroots movement in ethically produced metals and gems with the global fair-trade movement. For the first time, the result would be the presence in jewelry stores of jewelry sourced from gold that meets standards of environmental accountability, economic justice and local sustainability.

"Standard Zero certification will offer an economic incentive for artisanal miners to demonstrate that they are a legitimate part of the mining sector, that they can do things right and, by so doing, greatly improve the quality of life of their communities," Echavarria said in a statement. "These miners want a decent and productive way to raise their families in a safe environment."

The paper further describes Standard Zero's process of creating environmental and social standards, as well as maps out the framework by which artisanal and small-scale miners can organize and collaborate with upstream purchasers to guarantee that a chain of custody of the mined metals occurs, ensuring jewelers of where their precious metals are sourced. The process also guarantees a simultaneous return of fair wages and a premium to those who actually mine the metals.

Trial implementations of Standard Zero will take place in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. "Certified Fair-Trade Artisanal Gold," produced according to Standard Zero, is expected in 2009.

Artisanal and small-scale mining produces 20 percent to 25 percent of all non-fuel metals, including precious metals.

For the full report, visit the Madison Dialogue Web site, Madisondialogue.com.

Editor's note: For earlier developments in this story, see Madison Dialogue addresses ethical jewelry standards.

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