Diamond & Jewelry News, Advice and Prices for Consumers
Diamond & Jewelry News, Advice and Prices for Consumers
September 22, 2010
I've heard lots about the gold mining industry and its negative impact on local communities and the environment. How can I make sure that the gold I buy was not mined in a way that creates poverty, pollution or human suffering?
September 25, 2010
There are a number of jewelry retailers that have signed a "No Dirty Gold" pledge. This pledge was drafted by a branch of Earthworks, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment in the face of large-scale metal mining, fuel mining and more. This branch is appropriately called "No Dirty Gold". Retailers who have signed their pledge include big jewelry names like Zales, Tiffany's, Whitehall Jewelers, QVC, Sears, JCPenny, Cartier and more. By signing No Dirty Gold's pledge, these companies have dedicated themselves to upholding the strictest standards of ethical and eco-friendly metal mining. They agree to mine their gold or purchase their gold only from mining companies that 1) respect basic human rights as described in international law 2)inform local potentially affected communities of their rights and obtain their non-manipulated approval 3) respect the rights of their workers and maintain safe, positive working conditions and labor standards 4)Do not operate in areas of violent conflict 5) Do not force any peoples or communities off of their land 6) Do not mine in any protected natural area, endangered ecosystem or any other conserved body of land 7) Do not dispose of mine wastes in oceans, rivers, lakes or streams 8) take appropriate steps to ensure that neither water, nor soil,nor air is polluted with toxic chemicals 9) Covers all costs and organizes the closing and cleaning up of expired mine projects 10) Candidly discloses all information regarding any social/environmental effects of their mining projects 11) Permits independent third party verification of all of the above requirements.
