MEMBER LOGIN
GOLD FROM DRC REGION
Jewelers of America remains fully committed to responsible sourcing of gold and other minerals that make their way into jewelry products.
We are deeply concerned about the reports of human rights abuses related to artisanal gold mining, particularly in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Warring factions there are believed to currently control a portion of the mining and exportation of gold and other minerals, using the profits to fund their military activities.
In order to address this issue, legislation that seeks to target the importation of gold and other minerals from the DRC and nine surrounding countries, was recently passed by the U.S. Congress. While we strongly believe in the goals of this legislation, we are very concerned that the bill – as passed – could encourage jewelry companies to avoid trading in gold from the region, in order to bypass the issue completely. Of course, this unintended consequence will help no one, and end up hurting legitimate miners and their communities.
Therefore, we hope to work with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulators and both industry and non-industry stakeholders to ensure that implementation achieves its goals, without hurting jewelry businesses or the very communities in DRC and neighboring countries that it is meant to benefit and protect.
In doing so, we reiterate the following principles related to the situation in DRC and other regions:
We are deeply concerned about the reports of human rights abuses related to artisanal gold mining, particularly in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Warring factions there are believed to currently control a portion of the mining and exportation of gold and other minerals, using the profits to fund their military activities.
In order to address this issue, legislation that seeks to target the importation of gold and other minerals from the DRC and nine surrounding countries, was recently passed by the U.S. Congress. While we strongly believe in the goals of this legislation, we are very concerned that the bill – as passed – could encourage jewelry companies to avoid trading in gold from the region, in order to bypass the issue completely. Of course, this unintended consequence will help no one, and end up hurting legitimate miners and their communities.
Therefore, we hope to work with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulators and both industry and non-industry stakeholders to ensure that implementation achieves its goals, without hurting jewelry businesses or the very communities in DRC and neighboring countries that it is meant to benefit and protect.
In doing so, we reiterate the following principles related to the situation in DRC and other regions:
- Jewelers of America believes that even one ounce of gold from a conflict source is one ounce too many.
- We’ve asked our members to voluntarily ask their suppliers to affirm to them, in writing, their commitment to the responsible sourcing of gold.
- In taking this step, the association and its members are actively encouraging gold suppliers to do what they can, within their spheres of influence, to ensure that none of the gold jewelry products they sell has contributed—in any way—to the funding of any current conflicts or wars.
- While Jewelers of America—and the industry at large—stand ready to do our part, we believe positive engagement between stakeholders, governments and industry will be critical in developing real, long-term solutions to the complex problems in the DRC.