Click here to read the Observer Article

As Lucy explains, mercury use in Artisanal Small Scale Mining (ASM) remains the most challenging aspect of creating truly multi-faceted  ’ethical’ gold. Fifi Bijoux uses gold and platinum from alluvial mines and silver from gravity method mines. In each of these, there is no requirement for mercury or cyanide; therefore these are the most ecologically low-impact methods of gold extraction.

However, for many miners these methods are not feasible. This may be because they are mining in hard rock areas, such as parts of Bolivia, where the gold is present in veins or not accessible in alluvial deposits (alluvial meaning the gold can be collected in rivers, using traditional panning techniques).

It may be feasible to introduce gravity methods, but this requires considerable  investment in equipment. The cost of gravity mining technology  can preclude many ASM gold producers from accessing these methods. ASM miners face numerous challenges depending on their situation; this can be from the legality of their mining where they have not secured (or are prevented through legislation) from acquiring the legitimate right to mine precious minerals. Once this has been overcome (through forming co-operatives or organising themselves into a legally viable operation, or through accessing support to acquire the necessary permits) then they face decisions about how they continue to mine. Fair Trade standards seek to alleviate poverty by guaranteeing a fair price for the miners and by increasing the route to market for a premium product. There are many benefits to artisanal miners in being Fair Trade certified; artisanal miners are otherwise often exploited through lack of access to information on accurate current gold prices or through limited routes to market.

Mercury is the most readily available ‘technology’ to ASM gold producers and whilst the price of mercury is rising significantly, still the most affordable for an individual or small group.

However, mercury is a serious pollutant which affects the local communities who farm, fish or access water in the region. In addition to the environmental implications of depositing mercury in the ground or in waterways, it carries a serious health issue; causing neurological damage and palsy. It is not in any one’s  interest to continue with mercury use in ASM in the long term. The Fair Trade standard (formed from Standard Zero by the Alliance of Responsible Mining) does account for mercury reduction and for methods to use closed-circuit processes which reduce the emissions. There are methods of mercury re-activation which can be introduced , which reduces the need to throw away used mercury and to buy more.  As technology improves, there will be even better methods and techniques available to ASM gold producers. In the meantime, the Fair Trade standard must fulfil it’s primary obligation; to achieve poverty reduction and financial improvements for miners and to observe profitable development as a route to addressing the value chain imbalance from producer to final product.

A major consideration for any ASM project is also the lifespan of the mine. This is an important factor when considering the feasibility of a project; for example it may not be viable to introduce gravity mining methods in an area which has very small resources and is calculated to expire within 5 years. There are a couple of examples we support where expiration of the mine is imminent,which hold  important economic and community developments . In Bahia, Brazil there is a project which has been running for several years which invests the profits of polishing rutile quartz mined in the village back into organic farming in the region (‘Mining For Food’ rutile quartz mining & polishing, Brian Cook). The mine is calculated to produce quartz which can be extracted by traditional hand-tools for around 5 or 10 years. There after, industrial methods would need to be introduced and this is not desired by this small rural community. The organic farms have led to the creation of a brand of vitality drinks by two sisters; ‘ Guarabee’ combining the organic fruits from the farms with organic rainforest honey and guarana.  (I can personally testify that this stuff does wonders! I was wide awake for hours and my jet-lag evaporated!).

 Click here to learn about Guarabee

Projects such as these really inspire me that mining – an extractive process and therefore finite- has a significant part to play in sustainable development, poverty alleviation and environmental excellence. It can be achieved without making negative impacts on the environment; however this is a far reaching principle for the mining sector and it will only happen in increments and only by the development of alternative, sustainable livelihoods on mining closures.

In the meantime, at Fifi Bijoux we  will continue to limit our fair trade precious metal sources only to those which do not use mercury or cyanide (at time of publication; Eco Andina , Argentina  and Oro verde, Colombia) whilst supporting initiatives which work to find alternatives to mercury in other regions. I personally wish for more ‘Guarana Girls’ energy,  imagination and vision for sustainable entrepreneurship to compliment mining for community development.

However as the price of gold continues to rise, ASM is set to grow as an attractive means of income, legal or illegal in places where it is a means of subsistence. The standards set under Fair Trade will assure that over the coming years at least a few mines in South America, Asia and Africa can achieve socially responsible conditions for miners and a fair price for their gold, with targets for mercury reduction in place. I hope to see technology speed up in tandem; offering an affordable, efficient means to extract gold without toxic chemicals to meet the needs of ASM miners across the globe. To me, true luxury is respect for the rare and precious minerals which we craft into jewels ; the value of which can never be taken for granted .

Vivien Johnston

Director & Founder, Fifi Bijoux.

Useful Links:

Very informative films by The Blacksmith Institute:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIbhwaw5PQg&feature=related

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPGPbbHY03M&feature=related

The Artisanal Gold Council; Profitable Transition Away From Isolation and Mercury Use in ASM

Global Mercury Project

Alliance for Responsible Mining

click here to read  ‘Gold Pirates wage a dirty underground war’

published  Sept 27th by Sunday Times.