Así opera la iniciativa suiza que busca promover la producción de oro de manera responsable

Christian Sieber, director global del programa SBG Foto:Cortesía

Así opera la iniciativa suiza que busca promover la producción de oro de manera responsable

TL;DR

  • Swiss Better Gold (SBG) initiative aims to promote responsible and traceable gold mining from small-scale producers to the Swiss market.
  • The program helps miners improve environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, requiring compliance with 27 criteria.
  • SBG has supported the export of around 20 tons of responsible gold, generating approximately $15 million in premiums for community and mine improvements.
  • Over 11,000 producers have been trained, indirectly benefiting around 145,000 people.
  • The initiative is expanding into Ecuador and exploring chains in Africa (Tanzania, Ghana, Ivory Coast) and Asia (Mongolia).
  • The program's new phase involves a stronger leadership role for the private sector in implementing supply chains, complemented by public sector regulatory support.
  • Challenges in Colombia include informality, organized crime, environmental and social issues, and security concerns.
  • Traceability is crucial to verify the origin and production methods of gold.
  • Mine accreditation lasts for two years and requires renewal, with ongoing third-party verifications.
  • SBG promotes a principle of proportionality, recognizing that all mines can improve their performance regardless of size.