The Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) is taking its message of ensuring access to fair trade for small-scale and artisanal miners to a global forum dedicated to improving the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
Held in Paris, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Forum on Implementation of Due Diligence in the Gold Supply Chain provides an opportunity for ARM to present its finalized “Gold Supplement” and discuss implementation to address unique challenges in the gold supply chain.
The supplement was developed through an inclusive multi-stakeholder process and endorsed by the OECD-hosted working group on gold in February. The initiative is designed to help companies in the mining and mineral sectors to respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral or metal purchasing decisions and practices.
Appendix 1 to the supplement works to minimize marginalization of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, while promoting conflict-free gold supply chains and ensuring economic and development opportunities for miners.
“If implemented correctly, Appendix 1 can be an excellent instrument that can make everyone a winner” says Laura Barreto, chair of ARM’s board of directors.
“Integrating the appendix in the final guidance will prevent [it] from being counterproductive and leave small-scale miners in a situation that is even more difficult than the current one. With Appendix 1, not only the large-scale mining companies will be the winners. The small-scale mining communities will have a greater chance to formalize and escape the poverty trap.”
