Artisanal Gold Council joins global allies to push for a clear definition of "recycled" gold

Artisanal Gold Council, a leading global charity working towards the eradication of mercury from the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, joined with 10 other leading global organizations to call on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), and the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) to urge the adoption of a clear definition of "recycled" gold.

The signatory organizations urged the following:

• Industry and normative organisations to adopt a definition of “recycled” gold that is consistent with existing international, legal and normative definitions of recycling, and that is transparent about the real positive and negative impacts of reusing the gold.This has already been done by consensus by the Precious Metal Impact Forum in2022, which restricted the term ‘recycled gold’ to waste material calling ‘reprocessed gold’ all other non-waste and non-mining sources. This PMIF definition17 was proposed by the RJC for revision of its CoC standards. Focusing recycling efforts on tackling the real problems the world is facing, will certainly help to improve the rate of proper e-waste recycling, which remains below 25%
• OECD to clarify the scope of its Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas definition of recycled gold. The OECD definition of recyclable gold is often used as a reference to justify the inclusion of non-waste materials as a source of 'recycled' gold, which is incompatible with the waste legislation of most of its member states, and in particular its EU member states that have implemented Directive 2008/98/EC, which defines recycling.
• Involve civil society, NGOs and consumer organisations as active contributors to the groups defining “recycled” gold in the standards and norms committees
• All companies and consumer-facing brands to disclose the methodology used to calculate their gold carbon footprint and align it with independent scientific research that considers gold’s unique supply and demand characteristics, which differ from those of industrial metals.
• Industry schemes must strengthen their due diligence requirements for reprocessed and recycled gold. All companies must rigorously verify the origin of their “recycled”gold.
• Engage with all sources of gold including ASM, to drive continuous progress in mining’s environmental and social performance and contribute to local development

You can view the letter here.