Earthworm Foundation, in partnership with leading Swiss refiners Argor-Heraeus SA, Metalor Technologies SA, and PX Précinox S.A., has launched a set of guidelines and tools to promote responsible artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold sourcing practices.
These initiatives aim to address the environmental and social challenges of the ASM sector, which employs an estimated 15-20 million people globally and produces around 20% of newly mined gold, often under informal and harmful conditions.
The tools were unveiled at the Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing Forum, part of the LBMA/LPPM Global Precious Metals Conference in Miami (October 13-15, 2024). This initiative seeks to transform global ASM practices by equipping processing plants with practical tools to enhance sustainability efforts when sourcing from artisanal miners.
Bastien Sachet, CEO of Earthworm Foundation, shared: “Our objective with these guidelines is not to produce ‘another standard’. Rather, we want to equip companies and practitioners with the right tools to navigate a challenging environment—the ASM sector—confidently and allow it to move from being a perceived risk to an opportunity for positive impact.”
Earthworm Foundation presented the outcomes of extensive consultations with 27 key industry stakeholders during the forum. The session explored solutions for promoting responsible sourcing and sustainability within the artisanal mining sector, including unveiling the guidelines and the new self-assessment tool.
For more information and to download the guidelines, visit: Artisanal Small-scale (ASM) Gold mining
Earthworm Foundation has launched its comprehensive Guidelines for Responsible Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Sourcing from Processing Plants, two Technical Guidelines, and a Risk Assessment Tool for gold processing plants working with ASM. These tools provide a framework for processing plants to onboard artisanal miners into responsible global value chains and ensure continuous improvement through applied lessons learned.
Philippe Chave, Co-CEO of PX Précinox, stated: “This initiative marks a key step in recognising the pivotal role processing plants play in addressing ASM challenges, fostering formalisation, sustainability, and global market access.”
Robin Kolvenbach, Co-CEO of Argor-Heraeus, added: “With these important guidelines, we aim to reinforce our commitment to responsibility and transparency within the precious metal industry.”
The Technical Guidance on Due Diligence outlines best practices for processing plants, ensuring compliance with OECD standards and promoting responsible sourcing of minerals from ASM. The Technical Guidance on Traceability offers recommendations to enhance the traceability of gold from ASM, creating a transparent system from extraction to shipment and improving accountability in the gold value chain.
The Self-Risk Assessment Tool enables processing plants to evaluate their operations and identify opportunities for improvement in ASM practices. By integrating ASM into responsible global supply chains, processing plants can promote sustainable mining, transparency, and better livelihoods for miners and their communities.
Antoine de Montmollin, CEO of Metalor, said: “Earthworm Foundation’s new guidelines and tools will provide practical support to artisanal miners to better integrate into responsible global value chains, fostering sustainability and transparency in the gold sector. This initiative marks a significant step towards transforming ASM practices worldwide using processing plants.”
For more information and to download the guidelines, visit: Artisanal Small-scale (ASM) Gold mining
About Earthworm Foundation
Earthworm Foundation is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to positively transforming supply chains across multiple sectors, including raw materials, agriculture, and natural resource management. With over 25 years of experience, Earthworm partners with companies, civil society, and local communities to create sustainable solutions and improve people's livelihoods worldwide. For more information, visit www.earthworm.org
About Argor-Heraeus
Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Mendrisio, Switzerland, Argor-Heraeus specializes in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. As part of Heraeus Precious Metals, the company is one of the world’s leading companies in the precious metals industry. Argor-Heraeus offers a comprehensive product range for precious metals, including melting and assaying, LBMA Good Delivery standard bars, minted bars, semi-finished and finished products for the high-end jewellery and watchmaking industries, custom-made alloys, and financial precious metal services.
With its unique capability of offering highly customized solutions and connecting the entire supply chain from source to final product, Argor-Heraeus is renowned worldwide for its commitment to responsibility, innovation, trust, and excellence. For more information, visit: https://argor-heraeus.com
About Metalor
Metalor Technologies, based in Switzerland, is one of the leaders in the refining and processing of all precious metals. Over the decades, Metalor has established itself as one of the most influential global players in its field, thanks to its international presence (with factories on three continents) and its technological expertise. The company offers a wide range of services, from refining precious metals to manufacturing semi-finished products for the watchmaking, electrical, electronic, chemical, pharmaceutical and medical industries. Recognised for the quality of its products and integrity, Metalor stands out for its compliance with societal, environmental and ethical standards, thus contributing to the responsible sourcing of precious metals internationally. Since 2016, Metalor Technologies has been part of the Tanaka Precious Metals Group, a family-owned company. For more information, visit www.metalor.com
About PX Précinox
PX Précinox, an independent Swiss company within PX Group, has been a leader in the refining, processing, and alloying of precious metals since 1976. It serves the watch, jewellery, medical, and responsible investment industries. Specialising in high-end semi-finished products, including shaped profiles, wires, tubes, machined components, and bullion, the company provides its clients with comprehensive traceability, supported by fully segregated refining lines—whether for mercury-free ASM gold or various recycled supply chains. Its flagship initiative, the PX Impact®label, introduced in 2018, highlights the company’s commitment to responsible sourcing, supporting ASM mining communities, and promoting sustainable practices, all while continuously innovating to reduce its environmental footprint. For more information, visit PX Précinox - PX Group https://pxgroup.com
What are OECD standards?
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) provides responsible supply chain management guidelines, promoting sustainable practices supporting human rights and environmental integrity. For more information, visit: https://www.oecdwatch.org/oecd-ncps/the-oecd-guidelines-for-mnes/
Media Contact
Rini Vella-Gangne
Global Engagement Lead
r.vella-gangne@earthworm.org
