News
Artisan Society and Minespider Partnership
Society Artisanal, an organization dedicated to exporting artisanal gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has announced a collaboration with Minespider, a technology company specializing in blockchain-based traceability platforms and digital product passports. This partnership aims to ensure the traceability, provenance and sustainable production of gold.
Society Artisanal is committed to producing clean, conflict-free gold by partnering with artisanal mining cooperatives. The organization is focused on developing professional mine management practices, improving mineral extraction methods and meeting all safety, health, environmental and sustainability standards. These efforts are in line with international regulations, including the OECD Annex II Due Diligence Guidance, as well as the Dodd-Frank Act and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation. Society Artisanal purchases gold exclusively from managed mine sites, under the supervision of third-party due diligence organizations. The gold is then melted into hallmarked ingots, stamped with unique and identifying mine site numbers, and prepared for export to the L’Orfebre gold refinery in Europe.
Technology integration for transparency
Minespider’s blockchain-based platform and digital product passports play a crucial role in this initiative by collecting and reporting provenance data and other essential gold information in a transparent and secure manner. Society Artisanal will use these tools to track gold from mine to smelter, with plans to extend traceability beyond refineries. The first shipment of blockchain-traced gold is expected to be exported in June 2024.
Minespider founder and CEO Nathan Williams highlighted the importance of every mineral having a passport, stressing that gold should be no exception. He pointed out that the DRC has long been seen as a region of conflict, leading many companies to avoid sourcing minerals from there. However, this is changing thanks to organizations like Society Artisanal that promote sustainable mining practices in collaboration with local miners. These efforts ensure that the gold is conflict-free and produced according to international standards, including conflict-free regulations and the European Critical Minerals Act.
Commitment to ethical mining
Jason Clarke, CEO of Society Artisanal, expressed deep gratitude for the collaboration with Minespider. He highlighted the recent successful export of artisanal gold from the conflict-free Democratic Republic of Congo as evidence of their dedication to ethical mining practices, which ensure the longevity of their mineral supply chains. Clarke noted that in an industry where the concept of responsible sourcing often lacks substance, Society Artisanal has taken decisive action by partnering with Minespider to implement blockchain technology across its mining operations. This partnership aims to establish a transparent and reliable traceability system for every ounce of gold exported, positioning Society Artisanal as a pioneer in the DRC and promoting confidence in the integrity of its gold.
Improve standards and practices
Society Artisanal, based in Kinshasa and Dallas, is focused on developing professional mine management practices in the DRC. The organization aims to improve mineral extraction methods and ensure that all safety, health, environmental and sustainability regulations are met in accordance with international regulatory standards. These include the OECD Annex II Due Diligence Guidance and guidelines established by US and European legislation.
According to Society Artisanal, the gold comes exclusively from company-operated mining sites, overseen by third-party due diligence organizations. The metal is then melted into branded ingots, each stamped with a unique number and mine site ID, and prepared for export to the L’Orfebre gold refinery in Andorra.
Williams highlighted that the evolving situation in the DRC is being driven by organizations like Society Artisanal who work with local miners to promote sustainable mining practices. She emphasized that these efforts ensure that the gold is conflict-free and produced in accordance with all international standards, including conflict-free regulations and the European Critical Minerals Act.
Future perspectives
The partnership between Society Artisanal and Minespider marks a significant step towards transforming the gold mining industry in the DRC. By leveraging blockchain technology to improve transparency and traceability, this collaboration addresses long-standing issues in the industry. As the project progresses, it is expected to set new standards for ethical mining and sustainable development in the region. The successful implementation of this initiative provides a model for future efforts in the global effort to ensure conflict-free and environmentally sustainable mineral supplies.