Chede is the only certified mining organization in the department of Cauca, Colombia. One of its greatest achievements has been the creation and maintenance of a legal and stable business relationship in this area of ​​the country.

The organization recently obtained its recertification with the Fairmined Standard for the third consecutive year, becoming a benchmark for good mining practices and an organization that contributes to the economic and social development of its community.

These are some of the achievements that the mining organization has accomplished since 2018, the year in which it was certified for the first time:

Environmental Protection

• Implementing neutralization processes for cyanide solutions before being discharged.
• Implementing a phytoremediation process (soil recovery) as a complement to the existing wastewater treatment system.
• Landscape beautification.
• Correct handling of chemical substances to reduce environmental impacts.
• Process optimization in the mineral processing plant, allowing a reduction in the consumption of water and chemical substances.

Labour conditions

• Formating the occupational health and safety committee (COPASST) with monthly meetings in order to ensure the well-being of workers.
• All workers have employment contracts.
• There is no forced labour, discrimination or child labour.

Traceability

• Physical and documentary traceability of certified minerals from the moment they leave the mine, until the point of sale.

Support for the community

Thanks to the Fairmined premium, the organization has invested in supporting the municipality’s youth dance group, activities with boys and girls from the community, and supported issues like adolescent pregnancy and drug abuse in different townships in the region.

Learn more about the mining organization here.

At the Alliance for Responsible Mining, we congratulate this mining organization for its commitment and for demonstrating that small-scale mining can be an engine of positive transformation for the community.

Mongolian mining organizations decertify

Duush Mandal Khairkhan Kholboo (DMXX)  and Shijir Khishig mining organizations did not recertify with the Fairmined Standard. This is mainly due to the fact that both mining organizations are in the process of renewing their land use permit, however it is not clear how long it will take to complete this process by the authorities. This requirement is essential to operate in this country.

On the other hand, it is necessary to clarify what the new regulations of the country are to build a responsible supply chain, to make possible the commercialization and export of certified gold by these mining organizations.

At the Alliance for Responsible Mining, we hope to continue working with our allies in Mongolia to strengthen the artisanal and small-scale mining sector and accompany these organizations to achieve their certification again.