About us

Introducing a gold that shines brighter

A unique partnership, Fairtrade and Fairmined gold certification is the result of a joint effort between Fairtrade International (FLO) and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), which combined their expertise to enable artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) to improve their livelihoods.

Through an extensive consultation process the two organisations have developed a set of standards for responsible mining, which the miners have to fulfill in order to get certified. Achieving the certification means that the miners:

• Receive a guaranteed Fairtrade Minimum Price: This is set at 95% of the London Bullion Market Association's (LBMA's), fixing at the FOB export point
• Receive a Fairtrade premium payment, which is democratically reinvested in community projects and improving miners' operations. This is calculated as 10% of the applicable LBMA fixing
• For Ecological Gold (gold extracted without the use of chemicals) this is calculated as 15% of the applicable LBMA fixing
• Develop long term business relations with their commercial partners

Fulfilling the Fairtrade and Fairmined standard means that certified miners:

• Have developed democratic and accountable organisations and formalised all their operations
• Are using safe working practices including the management of toxic chemicals, such as mercury and cyanide, used in the gold recovery process
• Are respectful with their environment
• Recognize the rights of women miners

Organisations will be audited by the independent, international certification body FLO-CERT to ensure they are complying with the standards.

www.communitymining.org

www.fairtrade.net

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