Stopping sales altogether isn’t the answer to ‘dirty gold’

By Gemma Cartwright, New Products and Standards Development Manager, Fairtrade Foundation

Many of the 100 million people globally who are dependent on gold mining for their livelihoods, such as those shown in last night’s Dispatches programme, are characterised by high levels of abject poverty. They need gold sales to continue.

As the price of gold increases on the world markets, so many more are lured to seek their fortune in one of the world’s most dangerous industries risking their lives in often appalling conditions and getting a raw deal for their strenuous efforts.
The programme was calling on the high street to clean up its act by not selling jewellery made from gold which has been produced using child labour or environmentally dangerous practices.

However, suddenly ceasing all trading would have unintended consequences on those communities who are dependent on gold to survive. Illegal trading would be driven further underground and life for those forced to live hand to mouth would be made more difficult.

The growing sales of Fairtrade certified products globally demonstrates the power consumers have in being able to encourage industries such as the jewellery industry to think about their responsibilities. The jewellery industry has a responsibility to improve the rights artisanal and small-scale miners. Instead of stopping sales completely the industry should be thinking about how it could use its immense wealth and assets to support miners to improve their livelihoods and enable them to work legally.

Although a huge challenge, to resolve it the industry has to begin somewhere.   Just like mighty rivers begin as raindrops.

You can view the Dispatches programme on the Channel4 - 4OD website