Introduction:
Susan Kingsley is a co-founder of Ethical Metalsmiths. This article first appeared in the Denver Post on September 9th, 2008. Thanks to Susan for permission to post her piece on fairjewelry.org. ~Marc Choyt, Publisher [Read more →]
Below you can read a letter written by the 16th August Union in response to Greenland’s Bureau of Mining and Petroleum’s proposed changes to the mining law.
Before valuable rubies were documented, Inuits and Native Greenladers were able to mine and sell their gemstones freely, supported by the government.
Once valuable rubies were documented, local Greenlanders have been systematically disenfranchised from their own mineral rights. At present, they cannot sell their rubies.
This letter details the onerous behavior of the colonial government toward those Inuits seeking to maintain their rights to mine rubies. [Read more →]
Introduction:
When I visited England recently, I was impressed to find fair trade literature in churches. Much of this was the work of CAFOD, which stands for The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, a UK based relief agency that works in over sixty countries world wide.
This letter, sent on September 29th, 2008, clearly and concisely outlines CAFOD’s broad concerns over Wal-Mart’s new jewelry line.
This is the fourth of a series of posts on Wal-Mart. See the others in the Wal-Mart category to the right.
Thanks to Sarah Barnett, Policy Researcher for CAFOD, for permission to post.
~Marc Choyt, Publisher
READ THE LETTER (Adobe pdf 859.4K)
Get Adobe Reader 
Introduction:
Steve was instrumental in the Madison Dialogue, an initiative in the jewelry sector which has been critical in creating a frame work for a higher level of ethics. I interviewed him last week and learned that his new position will allow him to have even greater freedom to work toward new solutions from the radical center. He will still be involved in issues in the jewelery sector. The interview will be published in the future.
~Marc Choyt, Publisher [Read more →]
Introduction:
Oro Verde is one of the pioneers of the movement to create ethically sourced jewelry. They have developed a certification system for ecologically responsible, artisanal mined gold.
Now their efforts have drawn international attention, [Read more →]
Introduction:
This article conveys the difficult issues involved in a large retailer like Wal-Mart admirably attempting to gain full custody of their supply chain. The objection that many have toward this initiative are not so much in the sourcing, but the marketing of the product, which this article, it should be noted, spaciously spins favorably by talking about Michael Kowalski, CEO of Tiffany, as someone who “hikes” and is pro-environment. **A photo of the “guilt free” gold is also provided. **
Tiffany is sourcing from some of the same places that Wal-Mart does, but they are wise enough not to market it as earth friendly. These mines are massively destructive to the environment (see previous posts on Wal-Mart)
Wal-Mart’s “Love Earth” Brand Draws Early Fire
Complaints Filed Against Wal-Mart For False Green Jewelry Claims
~ Marc Choyt, Publisher
This is the third of a series of posts on Wal-Mart. See the others in the Wal-Mart category to the right.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/03/news/companies/gunther_gold.fortune/
This is a story, dated from last January, that was recently sent to me. It shows the growing international interest in no dirty gold.
Key quotes: “The company had met all legal, technical and environmental obligations required during the permitting process and had received a positive recommendation from the CODERST, a government-appointed committee designed to review such projects.”
Sarkozy’s spokesman David Martinon said the president wanted “gold mining compatible with the preservation of Guiana’s rich biodiversity.”
Here’s the link:
Canadian gold firm mulls ‘options’ after France denies permit
by Niels Madsen,
Nuuk, Greenland
26 September 2008
Friday, 26 September 2008, was a cold, gray, windy day in Nuuk, the capitol of Greenland. There was already one protest march brewing outside the Parliament. Later that day group would be protesting the nomination of Mr. Per Berthelsen as the new Minister of Finance. Berthelsen had been in and out of all three (3) of Greenland’s major political parties and he was trusted by few. He had become notorious for suppressing blogger’s comments, posting comments about his “old school master” style, and desire to cling to office. [Read more →]
*Key Point*: “The object of the petition is to secure artisan mining rights for Greenlanders, and True North Gems is not in any way, the target of the campaign.”
Statement from the 16th August Union.
I am writing on behalf of the 16th August Union that had to set itself up in order to protect its current rights to earn a living from traditional small scale mining activities. [Read more →]
Editorial by Marc Choyt, Publisher, Fairjewelry.org
Mining companies have colluded with governments to undermine the rights of indigenous small miners for hundreds of years. Typically, “the law” is used as their shield and excuse. Even in the developed world, mining companies and lobbyists collude with officials to write the laws that support their profit driven objectives. [Read more →]
