Royal Jeweller Approves Use Of Fair Trade Gold

According to the BBC, royal jeweller Garand has approved the use of Fairtrade gold; it's earmarked with a "Fairmined" symbol to identify it along with the "Fairtrade" logo.

The Telegraph has more details in print. In order for a gold supplier to qualify as a Fairtrade vendor, it has to stick to certain conditions.

Under the Fairtrade and Fairmined system miners are required to adhere to a set of standards, guaranteeing that gold is produced in a way that is safe for people and the environment. In return, miners will receive a set minimum Fairtrade price for their gold in addition to a Fairtrade premium to invest in community and business development projects.

The businesses are also required to establish long-term business relationships with their commercial partners, with plans including improving the technology and working conditions in mines and setting up community projects in education, health, and environmental restoration.

The Cotapata Mining Co-operative in Bolivia is the first certified Fairtrade and Fairmined mining organisation with more groups expected to join the system in the forthcoming months.

Harriet Lamb, executive director at The Fairtrade Foundation, said: "The reality of gold production is at complete odds with what consumers imagine.

"Consumers care about the conditions faced by miners. This is why Fairtrade and Fairmined gold has the potential to tackle unfair supply chains, improve working and environmental conditions and deliver tangible and sustainable economic benefits to impoverished communities."

As it turns out, gold is one of 3,000 Fairtrade products avaliable for sale in the UK.