Don’t eat the fish – or buy the gold.

We’ve all heard about high levels of mercury found in fish, but seldom does anyone discuss the cause.

There are an estimated 15-16 million artisanal and small scale gold Miners working in 55 developing countries around the world accounting for approximatey 25% of all gold produced annually. Artisanal small scale miners are the equivalent of subsistence farmers who barely produce enough for their own survival.

Ninety five percent of gold mined today is just dust, which is extremely time consuming and laborious to pan. Harvesting these small flakes from the ore, has traditionally been done using mercury amalgamation, which has had devastating environmental impacts.

Mercury releases from small scale gold mining are the second leading cause of mercury pollution on the planet behind the burning of fossil fuels. It is estimated that 1000 tons of mercury are released into the environment annually by small scale miners alone. The process results in mercury vapors released into the atmosphere as well as mercury waste entering the water system.

Exposure to mercury has been attributed to poor fetus development and neurological damage.

More information at Artminers.org

Alaskans say NO to gold mine

[Pebble Mine, an open-pit gold and copper mine planned in Bristol Bay, Alaska, is being met with opposition by community groups and major jewelry retailers alike.]

A collaboration between Anglo American PLC and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., the Pebble Mine would be situated in the Bristol Bay watershed in southwest Alaska. Though the companies claim that the project would be carried out with minimal environmental impact, residents of Bristol Bay are concerned that the mine would cause irreversable damage, specifically to the salmon industry. Bristol Bay is home to the world’s largest sockey salmon fishery, which is indeed the backbone of the local economy.

According to a survey conducted by Craciun Research, an Alaska-based research firm, which sampled more than 400 residents, 73% of residents are strongly opposed to Pebble Mine.

In addition to community concern, a number of jewelry companies including Tiffany & Co. and Helzberg Diamonds have vowed to boycott any gold mined at Pebble.

Gold company excluded due to environmental concerns

Last week, Norway announced that it will not allow its $300 billion oil fund from investing in Barrick Gold. The company is excluded because of “an unacceptable risk of the fund contributing to serious environmental damage,” said the Norway Finance Ministry.

In 2004, Norway established rules prohibiting the fund from investing in companies involved in human rights abuses, environmental damage or weapons production. The Finance Ministry decides whether to exclude companies based on recommendations from the Council on Ethics.

Barrick disagrees with the allegation that investing in the company would contribute to environmental damage.

Wal-Mart is also excluded from the fund due to alledged labor rights abuses of Wal-Mart suppliers in Africa, Asia and Central America as well as discrimination in the United States against women and employees seeking to unionize.

Facts:

• Mining gold generates more waste than mining any other metal and 80% of mined gold is used for jewelry.
• Barrick Gold is the largest producer of gold in the world operating 27 mines.
• Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer and the largest jewelry retailer in the United States.

Read about Barrick Gold on Wikipedia.

[Learn more about social and environmental impacts of mining at www.C5company.com.]

Help needed in Madagascar

Madagascar has a significant artisanal gold production industry.  Gold is found in many places throughout the country, but has not yet been found in sufficient quantity to be exploited by a large industrial miner.  That is to say there are no mechanized gold mines in Madagascar currently, but there are approximately 200,000 gold panners.

Mercury is illegal to possess in Madagascar and as an island the control on importing mercury has been successful.  Not using mercury means that yields, especially for fine gold, are low and so is pollution.

The Malagasy government has been trying to formalize the gold panners industry to bring the panners into the system legally and to collect taxes from them and on the gold they produce. A pilot project generated funds allowing one town to put up a rural electrification project, build water taps providing clean drinking water within short walking distance, built a communal clothes washing area, and assisted the financing of a local health clinic.  A big success and big change in quality of life.

Unfortunately, since gold prices have risen and mining rights for an adjancent, large, protected, non exploited study area have been purchased by a Chinese company and an Israeli company, the miners formerly working in this area have been expelled from their former workings. 

The pilot project has demonstrated the potential of an organized artisinal mining system to dramatically increase the standard or living for thousands of Madagascar people while providing “good gold” as an alternative to recycled gold for sustainable jewelry designers who cater to conscious consumers.

Please contact C5 at info@C5company.com or 888.536.4555 if you would like to learn more about this project or are able to help. Funds and technical support are sought.

(Information contained in this post has been provided by Tom Cushman who is based in Madagascar.)

The real price of gold

The issue of conflict associated with diamonds has received considerable attention the past few years, but only now are the issues associated with gold mining beginning to surface and impact consumer behavior. “Gold’s human and environmental toll has never been so steep,” writes Brook Larmer in The Real Price of Gold, an article appearing in National Geographic now on newstands.

• Gold produces more waste per ounce than any other metal.
• 2-5 grams of mercury are released into the environment for every gram of gold harvested.
• 10-15 million artisinal miners worldwide hope that gold will lift them out of poverty. Of these, 30% are women and children.
• 2/3 of all gold harvest worldwide is used in jewelry.

We implore you to read this article.

Here is an excerpt:

“Fueled  by luck and desperation, sinking in its own toxic waste and lawlessness, this no-man’s land now teems with dreamers and schemers anxious to strike it rich, even if it means destroying the environment and themselves in the process.”

[All C5 jewelry is fair-trade produced with recycled precious metals.]

African villagers displaced as platinum mine expands

A recent Business Day article draws attention to social disruptions caused by the metal mining industry and further communicates one of the reasons why C5 custom jewelry is made from only recycled metal.

The article states that the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has found evidence of human rights violations by Anglo Platinum in relocating thousands of villagers to expand its Potgietersrus Platinum (PPL) mine.

The Commission launched its investigation earlier this year after receiving a report from anti-poverty lobby group Action Aid alleging that thousands of villagers had lost their land through suspect relocation agreements.

“There were definitely human rights violations,” commission chairman Jody Kallapen told Business Day. “The question is, who is responsible?” The mine, contractors, service providers, local government and community structures have all failed the villagers, according to Kollapen.

C5 jewelry boutique open for business!

C5 now has sustainable, ready-to-wear jewelry options available through our online boutique.

4.2 carat, vibrant lab-created Ruby ring set in Palladium available exclusively through the C5 jewelry boutique

Each piece we carry demonstrates our belief that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice beauty for sustainability. C5 jewelry incorporates sustainable principles of recycled metal, ethically sourced gems and lab-created gems. By selecting C5 jewelry, you are able to wear pieces that reflect your commitment to the environment and your concern for others around the world.

Unlike other retailers, C5 does not have the luxury of selecting product from an array of wholesalers. There just isn’t anyone producing sustainable fine jewelry. That is why, for now, we offer a limited product selection and why we have chosen to collaborate with designers who share our values. Jennifer Dawes is one of the few making really stunning jewelry in an ecologically friendly way. Her work is unique, high quality and made in the United States.

Please sign up to receive our email alerts to stay abreast of boutique developments and promotions. We are working to add better photographs and more products soon.

The impact of large scale mining

Here are some enlightening statistics on the social and environmental impact of mining:

• Metal mining employs less than 1% of the global workforce, but consumes 10% of the world’s energy.
• Nearly 2 million children work in mines around the world.
• 30-100 tons of rock are impacted to produce a single ounce of gold.
• Metal mining is the most toxic polluter in the United States.
• More than 12 million gallons of diesel fuel are consumed at each mine per year.
• Gold is commonly separated from the ore or dust using cyanide or mercury.
• All 22 mines investigated by Earthworks were found to be contributing to water contamination.
• More than a dozen mine waste reservoirs collapsed between 1985-2000.
• 46% of Angolan diamond miners are under the age of 16 years old.

Bingham Canyon Mine, Utah

The Bingham Canyon mine in Utah is the largest mine on Earth. At 2.5 miles wide and 1 mile deep, it is visible from space.

What is rose gold?

We have all seen yellow gold and white gold, but what is rose gold?

Rose gold vs. yellow gold

Rose Gold is a mixture of yellow gold and copper. The copper giving it the pinkish color. Given its popularity in Russia in the 19th century, it is also sometimes referred to as Russian Gold. Other terms used to describe the pinkish gold are Red Gold and Pink Gold. The higher the copper content, the more red the gold will appear. Since it is an alloy, there is no such thing as pure rose gold.

Which metal is best?

While there isn’t really a “best” metal when it comes to fine jewelry, there is certainly a “most expensive.” The price of metals changes daily and has been increasing over the past year. Here are today’s market values:

(prices are per ounce)

• Gold (white, yellow, rose) = $787
• Platinum = $1400
• Palladium = $296

 

The right metal is really a matter of preference. White gold will discolor over time, but is the most common. Palladium isn’t widely known, but is an excellent option. Platinum has the reputation as being the best, but is very similar to palladium.

Regardless of which metal you select, make it recycled if you can. (A typical gold ring results in 20 tons of mine waste.)

« Older Entries