EARTHWORKS' No Dirty Gold

Tell the world's largest jeweler to protect the world's largest wild salmon fishery!

Urge Kay and Jared Jewelers' parent to pledge not to buy gold from the Pebble mine proposal

The largest open pit mine in North America could be built at the headwaters of the world's largest remaining wild salmon fishery -- Alaska's Bristol Bay. The mine would generate as many as 10 billion tons of harmful mine waste.

Year after year, the salmon return to Bristol Bay in astounding numbers, like no other place on earth. The fishery is the region's economic engine, generating $400 million and supporting 10,000 jobs.

Bristol Bay communities are asking all jewelers to support their efforts to protect Bristol Bay, their source of sustenance and livelihood.

Jewelry retailer gold demand represents 80% of annual global mine production. Over 50 jewelry retailers, including Tiffany & Co and Zales, have already signed the Bristol Bay Protection Pledge.

The Signet Group (owner of the Kay and Jared brands) was one of the first to sign the Golden Rules – a comprehensive set of principles for more responsible gold sourcing.

Now we're asking Signet to apply those principles to the Pebble Mine to protect the world's richest wild salmon fishery.

That's why we took out a full page ad in the Nov. 14th western edition of the New York Times urging Signet to sign the Pledge. And we're asking you to chime in as well.

TAKE ACTION:
Send a letter urging Kay and Jared Jewelers to sign the Bristol Bay Protection Pledge

Instructions:

Read the sample letter to Signet in the right hand column.
Edit/personalize the letter and subject header. Personal letters have much greater impact.
Click "Send Your Message" to send the letter to Signet CEO Michael Barnes.

For more information:

See the full page New York Times ad urging Signet to sign the Bristol Bay Protection Pledge
Read the Bristol Bay Protection Pledge
Read the jewelers' statements on signing the Bristol Bay Pledge
Read about how more jewelery retailers are opposing dirty gold production at the No Dirty Gold website.
Read the recent editorial in National Jeweler comparing the Pebble Mine to the BP oil spill
Go to Our Bristol Bay's website.

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Mr. Barnes,

I write to urge Signet Jewelers to support the protection of Alaska's unique Bristol Bay Watershed from plans for irresponsible gold mining that threaten the fishery.

Over fifty prominent jewelers, including U.S. jewelers Tiffany & Co., Zales, and Helzberg Diamonds, and U.K. jewelers Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Beaverbrooks have already made this commitment by signing the Bristol Bay Protection Pledge. Signet should do the same.

The Bristol Bay watershed is an internationally significant ecosystem, supporting the world's largest remaining wild sockeye salmon fishery. Year after year, the salmon return to Bristol Bay in astounding numbers, like no other place on earth. It is the economic backbone of the region, generating $400 million in annual revenues, supplying over 10,000 jobs, and providing healthy seafood for the Yu'pik and other Alaska Native communities who rely on it as their primary source of food.

As you can imagine, because of the threat to this ecosystem, and communities and business that rely on it, the Pebble Mine is widely opposed; nearly 80% of Bristol Bay residents oppose the mine. In December 2009, the Bristol Bay Native Corporation announced its formal opposition to the mine. If built, the mine would impact a world class fishery and an ecosystem with high conservation value. Furthermore, it lacks the free, prior and informed consent of affected communities.

I want to encourage your company to apply the Golden Rules by signing the Bristol Bay Protection Pledge.

As a jewelry retailer concerned about responsible mining, I am asking you to please do the right thing for the Bristol Bay salmon fishery and the communities that depend on it.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michael Barnes c/o Mark Jenkins

Signet Jewelers
Signet Jewelers Limited
15 Golden Square
London, W1F 9JG
GB

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Earthworks Action -- Periodic updates about protecting communities and the environment from the negative impacts of mining, digging and drilling.

No Dirty Gold

Tell the world's largest jeweler to protect the world's largest wild salmon fishery!

Michael Barnes c/o Mark Jenkins

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