Fairmined™ Gold and Silver Certification

ARM is a global pioneering initiative established in 2004 to foster sustainable artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Operating via a worldwide network of experts and partners, ARM is building social justice and environmental protection throughout the ASM community. ARM developed the Fairmined standard for gold and associated precious metals.

If you want to know more about Fairmined or about how to purchase Fairmined Material, please contact Fairmined directly at: https://fairmined.org/where-to-buy-fairmined/

Ecological Gold, Silver, or Platinum is a special designation awarded to gold and associated precious metals which are produced under stringent environmental practices. These practices include extraction without the use of mercury or cyanide, forest restoration in areas of high biodiversity and ecological restoration in any ecosystem. Under the Fairmined program, an additional premium is granted for precious metals extracted using these methods.

Any entity such as refiners, traders, manufactures and casters. They help mining organizations access the market and transform the gold into inputs for the various segment of the gold industry. Any actor in the supply chain wishing to trade Fairmined gold must become an authorized supplier by signing a Permit to trade with the Alliance for Responsible Mining. There are two types of Fairmined suppliers: A First Authorized Buyer and a Non-First Authorized Buyer.

FABs buy Fairmined metals directly from the certified mining organizations. They have greater responsibilities as they need to comply with the requirements of chapter 5 of the Fairmined Standard that regulate trading relationships with mining organizations. Non-FAB organizations buy metals from other Fairmined authorized suppliers and either distribute them or transform them into inputs for the market.

Any individual or entity involved in a Fairmined chain of custody that takes possession, transforms, or trades the product, up to the point of the Fairmined label user (“Licensee”), and that has been independently audited by a registered third-party and certified to the Fairmined standard requirements.

Fairmined Licensee’s are brands (jewelry companies, mints, etc) who want to work with Fairmined metals and make claims about it. They need to sign a License agreement with the Alliance for Responsible Mining. Any individual or entity that has been granted the use of the Fairmined label, based on independent auditing and certification by a registered third-party to the Fairmined standard requirements and who has signed a licensing agreement with ARM is a “Fairmined Licensee."

If you want to know more about Fairmined, about how to engage with Fairmined or want to become a Fairmined licensed brand or authorized Supplier, please send a message to the Fairmined directly at: https://fairmined.org/contact/

Miners receive a guaranteed Fairtrade Minimum Price (set at 95% of the London Bullion Market Association’s price). They also receive a Fairtrade premium payment which is democratically reinvested in community projects and into improving miners’ operations. Through this reinvestment, mining workers receive benefits such as training, safety equipment, improved working conditions, greater security, and new technologies.

Ecological Gold, Silver, or Platinum is a special designation awarded to gold and associated precious metals which are produced under stringent environmental practices. These practices include extraction without the use of mercury or cyanide, forest restoration in areas of high biodiversity and ecological restoration in any ecosystem. Under the Fairmined program, an additional premium is granted for precious metals extracted using these methods.