Fairmined certification

2019, Colombia / Alliance for Responsible Mining

La Unión mining organization, located in the department of Antioquia, Colombia, achieved certification with the Fairmined Standard in October of 2019.

This means that, thanks to their hard work and commitment, this small-scale mining organization will begin to sell Fairmined certified gold to national and international markets at a fair price and following good practices.

The Fairmined Standard supports the sustainable development of artisanal and small-scale mining organizations, with requisites focused on environmental protection and the well-being of the communities.

The Fairmined Certification will allow them to receive an economic incentive for each kilo of gold sold to the market, which they will invest towards the improvement of the organization and the community’s quality of life. This is one of the many benefits that certified artisanal and small-scale mining organizations receives.

“We are interested in complying with the Fairmined Standard for a matter of quality, recognition, and compliance with social, labor and environmental aspects. This contributes to the development of the nearby communities of the mining project and directly benefit the workers of the mine, ” says Felipe Jaramillo, head of the mining organization.

The process towards achieving the certification of this mining organization was financially supported by the Better Gold Initiative, a project of the Swiss Cooperation and the Responsible Swiss Gold Association.

La Unión mining organization joins the 8 Fairmined certified mining organizations in Colombia, Peru and Mongolia, thus becoming a benchmark for good small-scale mining practices.