The NGO represents more than 300 artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMers) who extract gold in the soum.
With support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation’s Sustainable Artisanal Mining (SAM) Project, jointly implemented by Mongolia’s Ministry of Mining, in 2015 the XAMODX NGO became the first ASM organisation in Asia and one of only two in the world to receive Fairmined Ecological Gold certification by the Alliance for Responsible Mining - a special Fairmined label for gold produced without the use of mercury or cyanide - having fulfilled more than 200 standards affirming that the organisation’s operations were economically, technologically and environmentally responsible.
The Fairmined Ecological Gold certification opened a new door for XAMODX NGO to export its gold to ethically mined world gold markets at fair prices, with an additional premium per kilogram.
XAMODX NGO head Otgonbaatar Chamin said: “All members of the NGO are very content and proud of exporting our first Fairmined Ecological Gold to the world market. I have to say that it was not one-day work for us; it took nearly five years of hard work and dedication from all members of the NGO to achieve this result. Today we are not looked upon as a group of ‘ninjas’ who threaten the community, but as a responsible, world-standard artisanal miners’ community. Furthermore, the gold export premium of USD $6000 will be very useful for the further development of our organization.”
Fairmined Gold jewellery and other products are available in 18 countries, including Australia and countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia, as well as online. Brands interested in sourcing Fairmined Gold for their products can find suppliers in the US, Canada, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Austria, Spain and Colombia.
XAMODX NGO’s export is a historic moment for Mongolian ASM, supplying responsibly mined gold to more than 100 leading jewellery brands.
SAM Project Mineral Trade Expert Batsaikhan Usukh said: “This export is a historic milestone for the Mongolian artisanal mining sector. I believe many more Mongolian ASMers will follow in the footsteps of XAMODX NGO and receive Fairmined Ecological Gold certificates.”
Contact:
B. Zolboo
Knowledge Hub and Communication Officer
Sustainable Artisanal Mining Project
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Mongolia
Phone: +976 328848 Ext: 102
E-mail: zolboo.bayaraa@sam.mn
