The Golden Rules
The Golden Rules are a set of criteria for more responsible mining. The No Dirty Gold campaign developed the Golden Rules based based on broadly accepted international human rights laws and basic principles of sustainable development.
The Golden Rules hold that mining companies and operations must:
1. Respect basic human rights outlined in international conventions and law
2. Obtain the free, prior, and informed consent of affected communities.
3. Respect workers' rights and labor standards, including safe working conditions
4. Ensure that operations are not located in areas of armed or militarized conflict
5. Ensure that projects do not force communities off their lands
6. Ensure that projects are not located in protected areas, fragile ecosystems, or other areas of high conservation or ecological value
7. Refrain from dumping mine wastes into the ocean, rivers, lakes, or streams
8. Ensure that projects do not contaminate water, soil, or air with sulfuric acid drainage or other toxic chemicals
9. Cover all costs of closing down and cleaning up mine sites
10. Fully disclose information about social and environmental effects of projects
11. Allow independent verification of the above
A chance to lead
NDG is asking jewelry retailers to pledge to source only from mines who meet the above criteria. By signing the pledge, you show your customers your commitment to ethical mining and corporate social responsibility.
Please join some of the world's leading retailers of jewelry in calling for more responsible mining. Sign on to the Golden Rules, which are social, human rights, and environmental criteria for more responsible mining of gold and other precious metals.
If you are a retailer and would like to endorse the Golden Rules, please email us a signed, dated copy of this document on your letterhead to: retailers@nodirtygold.org.
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