| | Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the objectives of the No Dirty Gold campaign?
The No Dirty Gold campaign seeks to educate consumers and the general public about the impacts of irresponsible gold mining, and to enlist their support to pressure the industry to clean up its act. It calls upon the mining industry to ensure that their gold was not produced at the expense of communities, workers, and the environment.
- Why does this campaign matter?
Gold mining is one of the most destructive industries in the world. It pollutes water and land with mercury and cyanide, and endangers the health of people and ecosystems. The production of a single wedding ring generates 20 tons of wastes. Gold mining can also displace communities, supplant traditional livelihoods, and endanger nature preserves. Half the gold produced between 1995 and 2015 has or will come from indigenous peoples' lands.
- What can consumers of gold do?
This campaign empowers to create change in the gold mining industry. We all value clean water and land, healthy communities, human rights, and a safe environment. We are asking consumers to demand more responsible mining practices that will protect these precious rights and resources.
- Are you calling for a boycott?
We are not calling for consumers to boycott gold or jewelry. We're asking consumers to consider the real cost of current gold mining practices. We're asking that they demand changes from the industries that produce, sell, and profit from gold -- and that they urge these industries to abandon practices that endanger people and ecosystems.
- What can I do today?
Sign the campaign pledge at www.nodirtygold.org. The pledge asks retailers, manufacturers, and mining companies to provide verifiable alternatives to irresponsibly mined gold. The next time you go to a jewelry store, department store or university gift shop, ask where the gold in that pair of earrings or class ring came from. Chances are, the salesperson won't be able to tell you -- and that's what this campaign is trying to change.
- Why should retailers and manufacturers care?
Consumers want to feel good about the products they buy, in particular those used as symbols of love, lifelong commitment and emotional ties (such as wedding rings or class rings). Retailers will want to be perceived as acting responsibly, as was demonstrated during the conflict diamond, sustainably harvested forest products, and Fair Trade coffee campaigns.
- I'm ready to buy responsibly produced gold products now. Where can I find some?
Right now, stores do not offer this option, in part, because consumers have not demanded it. Now is the time to tell jewelers, computer makers, cell phone manufacturers and others that clean water, community health and human rights are vitally important to you in your purchasing decisions -- and that you want an alternative to dirty gold. Sign the online pledge and share it with like-minded friends at www.nodirtygold.org.
- What exactly IS the definition of more responsible mining?
There are basic changes that the mining industry needs to make right away, in a manner that is independently verifiable. At the very least, mining operations should follow these standards:
- Respect for basic human rights outlined in international conventions and law
- Free, prior, and informed consent of affected communities.
- Safe working conditions
- Respect for workers' rights and labor standards (including the eight core ILO conventions)
- Ensure that operations are not located in areas of armed or militarized conflict
- Ensure that projects do not force communities off their lands.
- No dumping of mine wastes into the ocean, rivers, lakes, or streams
- Ensure that projects are not located in protected areas, fragile ecosystems or other areas of high conservation or ecological value
- Ensure that projects do not generate sulfuric acid in perpetuity
- Cover all costs of closing down and cleaning up mine sites
- Fully disclose information about social and environmental effects of projects
- Allow independent verification of the above
- If consumers support your campaign, won't they eventually create higher prices for gold products?
There's no reason to believe that this set of reforms would affect retail prices. Mark-ups on gold products like jewelry are already four or more times higher than the cost of the gold itself.
The real costs of mining gold are not reflected in its price. Mining companies often do not factor into their operating expenses the true costs of the pollution they generate, or the social problems they can cause.
- Will gold mining reforms impact jobs?
Adopting the reforms we propose need not jeopardize jobs. On the contrary, it makes good business sense to respect human rights, provide safe working conditions to workers, and prevent contamination of water and land.
This campaign demands that mining companies respect the core labor standards laid out in International Labor Organization conventions, including the right to collective bargaining and to a safe working environment. At present, mining is the world's most hazardous occupation. In South Africa, the world's largest gold producer, it's estimated that one worker dies and 12 others are injured for every ton of gold produced.
- Where can I get more information?
Read the Dirty Metals report, which you can find at www.nodirtygold.org.
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