Fair Trade smykker

En redaktionel perspektiv af Marc Choyt, Publisher, fairjewelry.org.

Interesser til støtte for True North Gems og grønlandske Bureau of Mining og Petroleum (BMP) forsøger at kontrollere de offentlige diskurs ved at fordreje sandheden om de grønlandske rubin på Wikipedia.

Deres krav forklejne den indsats af den grønlandske Inuit at forsvare rettighederne for lille skala minedrift, i henhold til artikel 32 i Mineral Resources Act.

Faktisk er grønlænderne fik lov til at minen og sælge deres rubiner, indtil værdifulde sten blev dokumenteret. Grønlænderne blev endda sendt til Tucson Gem og Mineral Show. Når værdifulde sten blev dokumenteret, Inuit's traditionelle minedrift og salg af rubiner blev blokeret af regeringen.

Sagen er, at Niels Madsen's aktioner på vegne af Inuit rettigheder var teknisk fuldt lovligt i henhold til grønlandsk lovgivning, fordi ingen virksomheder har et krav på alle arealer. Indtil der gøres et krav gældende, at jorden stadig tilhører grønlænderne.

Inuitter have udnyttet ruby i hellige ritualer for hundredvis, hvis ikke tusinder af år. Virkningen af BMP er en klar overtrædelse af FN's erklæring om indfødtes rettigheder, som nævnt i min tidligere post.

I Wikipedia, min version af historien, herunder mit indledende indlæg er blevet fjernet flere gange.

Greg Valerio, etiske juvelr, aktivist, en internationalt anerkendt myndighed på små Artisan minedrift og fair trade smykker spørgsmål, har forsøgt at holde the record straight på Wikipedia på vegne af inuitter, men hans indlæg er til stadighed tilsidesættes.

Derfor opfordrer vi dem, der er involveret i Wikipedia til at oprette et forum, hvor alle stemmer kan blive hørt. Nr. anonyme indlæg burde være tilladt.

Tags: Fair Trade Gems, Grønland Rubiner, minedrift, Rubiner, Spin, Gennemsigtighed af Marc Choyt
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Indledning:

En erklæring om rettigheder for Oprindelige Folk blev vedtaget på den 13 september 2007. USA, Canada, Australien og New Zealand stemte imod loven.

Denne retsakt har bred forgreninger i hele perle verden. Gems ofte findes på oprindelige landområder. Almindeligvis regeringer arbejde med stor skala minedrift til fratager og ødelægge oprindelige samfund for at opnå mineralske rigdomme. Diamanten forretning i Sydafrika var baseret og derefter bygges om ødelæggelse af indfødte kulturer.

I forbindelse med mit nylige omtale af den grønlandske rubin, Danmark stemte for handling. Enhver objektiv undersøgelse af Grønlands Bureau of Mining og Petroleum adfærd viser en klar overtrædelse af denne erklæring.

Inuitter engang var tilladt frihed til at minen og sælge grønlandske rubiner. Det var endda støttet af den grønlandske regering, som sendte medlemmer af den grønlandske Stone Club til Tucson Gem Show. Men nu, at værdifulde sten er fundet, inuitter er ikke længere tilladt at udføre deres Artisan lille skala minedrift og salg af rubiner. Resultatet af dette har været en opstand ledet af de 16 august Union, som jeg har drøftet tidligere.

Nedenfor er et par af artiklerne fra dette nyligt vedtaget erklæringen, der er relevante for Artisan lille skala minesektoren.
~ Marc Choyt, Publisher

Artikel 26

1. Oprindelige folk har ret til at lande, territorier og ressourcer, som de traditionelt har ejet, besat og i øvrigt anvendes eller erhvervet.

2. Oprindelige folk har ret til at eje, bruge, udvikle og styre lander, territorier og ressourcer, de besidder på grund af traditionelle ejerskab, eller andre traditionelle erhverv eller brug, såvel som dem, de har på anden måde erhvervet.

3. Staterne skal give juridisk anerkendelse og beskyttelse til disse arealer, territorier og ressourcer. En sådan anerkendelse skal udføres med behørig respekt for toldmyndighederne, traditioner og jordbesiddelsesordninger af de oprindelige folk berørt.

Artikel 32

1. Oprindelige folk har ret til at udvikle og fastlægge prioriteter og strategier for udvikling af anvendelsen af deres jord eller territorier og andre ressourcer.

2. Stater skal konsultere og samarbejde i god fair med den oprindelige folk pågældende gennem deres egne repræsentative institutioner med henblik på at opnå deres frie og informerede samtykke forud for godkendelse af et projekt, der berører deres jord eller territorier og andre ressourcer, især i forbindelse med udvikling, udnyttelse eller udnyttelse af mineral-, vand eller andre ressourcer.

3. Staterne skal levere effektive mekanismer til retfærdig og fair oprejsning af sådanne aktiviteter, og træffer de nødvendige foranstaltninger til at afbøde negative miljømæssige, økonomiske, sociale eller åndelig betydning.

Artikel 40

Oprindelige folk har ret til adgang til og hurtig afgørelse gennem retfærdig og fair procedurer for løsning af konflikter og tvister med stater eller andre parter, såvel som effektive retsmidler for enhver krænkelse af deres individuelle og kollektive rettigheder. En sådan beslutning skal tage behørigt hensyn til de skikke, traditioner, regler og juridiske systemer for de oprindelige folk og internationale menneskerettighedsorganisationer.

Artikel 41

De Forenede Nationer, dets organer, herunder det Permanente Forum for oprindelige folk, og særorganisationer, herunder på landets niveau, og staterne skal fremme respekten for og den fulde anvendelse af bestemmelserne i denne erklæring og følge op på effektiviteten af denne erklæring.

Tags: Fair Trade, Fair Trade Gems, Grønland Rubiner, minedrift, Rubiner, Spin, Gennemsigtighed af Marc Choyt
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Nedenfor kan du læse et brev skrevet af den 16 august Union som reaktion på Grønlands Bureau of Mining og Petroleum's foreslåede ændringer til minedrift ret.

Før værdifulde sten blev dokumenteret, inuitter og Native Greenladers var i stand til at minen og sælge deres lommesten frit, støttet af regeringen.

Når værdifulde sten blev dokumenteret, lokale grønlændere har været systematisk frataget fra egne mineralsk rettigheder. På nuværende tidspunkt kan de ikke sælge deres rubiner.

Dette brev beskriver de belastende adfærd af den koloniale regering mod de grønlændere forsøger at fastholde deres rettigheder til mine rubiner.

Læs Brevet (Adobe Reader - 58.4K)

Inga B. Egede, leder af den 16. august Union, giver dokumentet til en grønlandsk regeringens officielle. "(Foto høflighed, N. Madsen)

Her er det Brev som almindelig tekst: [Læs mere →]

Tags: CSR, miljø, Fair Trade, Fair Trade Gems, Green Emner, Grønland Rubiner, minedrift, Rubiner, Spin, Gennemsigtighed af Marc Choyt
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af Niels Madsen,
Nuuk, Grønland
26 september 2008

Fredag den 26 september 2008, var et koldt, gråt, blæsende dag i Nuuk, Capitol i Grønland. Der var allerede en protest marts brygning uden for Parlamentet. Senere samme dag gruppe ville være protesterer udnævnelsen af Mr. Per Berthelsen som den nye finansminister. Berthelsen havde været i og ud af alle tre (3) af Grønlands største politiske partier og han var betroet af par. Han var blevet berygtet for at undertrykke blogger kommentarer, udstationering bemærkninger om hans "old school master" stil, og ønsket om at holde fast i embedet.

Mod den opvarmede baggrund af, at den politiske uro, en anden hårdføre gruppe af grønlændere kom på de samme porte af regeringen, dette team til at kræve deres rettigheder til Ruby og at protestere den grove aktioner af bestyrelsen af mineraler og Petroleum (BMP), der var desecrating disse rettigheder holdt hellig, almindelig og garanteret ved lov.

Med truslen om sne i luften, en flok mænd, kvinder og deres børn indsamlet uden for kontorerne i BMP, marcherede tidligere borgmester vindue og tilkendegav deres holdning og gav deres indlæg på døre i Parlamentet. På dette øjeblik, er afstemningen om den nye finansminister var brusende gerne en brand inde, vigtigt at alle på øen, fordi finansministeren sidder blandt andet om "fælles udvalg" til demokrat part og må opgive sit pladser hvis han er Gong for at være finansminister for Siumut parti.

Udvalget er den fælles danske og grønlandske politiske delegation, der vil itemize disse vigtige emner, der kræver beslutning før "selvstændig for" fase af Grønlands drev i retning af uafhængighed fra den koloniale Danmark starter, måske næste år.

Denne decentralisering er planlagt til at levere Grønland til fuld uafhængighed af juli 2009, og debatten om øens naturressourcer, herunder rubin og diamant, guld og platin, samt olie og gas, er blevet en kampplads om frihed, mod fuld uafhængighed et tidspunkt i fremtiden.

Om, at koldt, blæsende fredag i Nuuk, den protest gruppe leveret et andragende til støtte for grønlændere's rettigheder til ruby, som var underskrevet af 3.500 mennesker, at Mr. Kim Kielsen, ministeren for minedrift og energi. Som et tegn på spørgsmålets vigtighed, Kim Kielsen var så venlig at dukke op, selv om han var på sygeorlov på grund af en hjernerystelse. Flere aktioner er planlagt senere.

Tags: Fair Trade, Fair Trade Gems, Grønland Rubiner, minedrift, Rubiner, Spin, Gennemsigtighed af Niels Madsen
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* Key Point *: "Formålet med andragendet er at sikre Artisan minedrift rettigheder for grønlænderne, og True North Gems er ikke på nogen måde, er målet for kampagnen."

Erklæring fra den 16. august Union.

Jeg skriver på vegne af den 16 august Union at skulle etablere sig på for at beskytte sin nuværende rettigheder til at tjene til føden fra de traditionelle små minedrift.

For det første skal siges klart og utvetydigt, at tng er ikke på nogen måde, er målet for De grønlandske Ruby kampagne.

Nedenfor er hele afskrift, at over 3500 grønlandske Beboere har til dato underskrevet, og en anden 1000 fra det internationale samfund har venligt støttet. Dette vil klart demonstrere tng ikke er fokus for denne kampagne.

"16. august Union

Andragende

I sommeren august måned 2007, fem lokale gemstone samlere på Grønland blev tvunget til at opgive deres ruby efterforskning lejren i det område, som de grønlandske Bureau of Minerals og Petroleum (BMP) og Grønlands Politi, og udelukket fra al indsamling og handel med alle i Grønland.

Myndighederne afviste de fem lokale folk tilladelse til at fortsætte med at øve deres historiske og tradtional rettigheder til indsamling af stenene ude i naturen som deres forfædre har gjort gennem generationer, og århundreder.

Siden da medlemmer af den 16. august Union har haft deres sten konfiskeret fra dem, som BMP og har været effektivt kriminaliseret og forhindret i at tjene en ærlig levende gennem indsamling og smykker aktiviteter.

Som en union vi mener, denne kriminalisering, obstruktion og brud på vores historiske og traditionelle ret til at indsamle sten er en forfatningsstridig, misbrug af magt på vegne af myndighederne.

Vi vil derfor med al respekt anmode om, at alle støtter vores andragende på vegne af hele befolkningen i Grønland til at forankre vores rettigheder i en klar, gennemskuelig lovgivning, der sikrer følgende enkle idé.

"De grundlæggende rettigheder for indfødte og indfødte grønlændere under punkt 32 i den nuværende forfatning for at være i stand til at indsamle, transformere, kommercialisering og eksportere alle naturlige mineraler af enhver slags. Naturligvis bortset fra olie-gas, radioaktive grundstoffer og områder med monopol. "

(Andragendet er både på internettet og i en fysisk papir-udgave, skal du være opmærksom på at kun underskrive en af dem)

End Andragende

Som en fremmed mineselskab opererer i Grønland, tng er en del af den nye historie, der vil blive registreret som De grønlandske Ruby, men er ikke af central betydning for de nuværende problemer med indfødte folk og det grønlandske folk, som de kæmper for at hævde deres forfatningsmæssige rettigheder og for at forhindre erosion af de gamle og traditionelle livsstil.

Vi glæder os over Robert Boyd's støtte for oprindelige rettigheder, og disse rettigheder omfatter adgang til mineralske rigdom på øen Grønland og retten til at tjene til føden fra denne aktivitet. Disse rettigheder er nedfældet i henhold til artikel 32 i Mineral-kode og hans støtte er værdsat i denne sag.

Præsidiet for mineraler og Petroleum (BMP) er det organ i Grønland handler på vegne af det grønlandske landsstyre og det er deres handlinger med henvisning til artikel 32 i mineraler handling, der har det forværret situationen. Deres handlinger i forbindelse med forebyggelse Inuit og grønlænderne fra at tjene en ærlig lever af høst rubiner og andre ædle lommesten er, hvad der har skabt problemet.

De er på record som siger Inuit og grønlænderne kan have semi ædelsten, men ikke den ædle såsom Ruby, Sapphire og diamanter. Naturligvis denne form for økonomisk forskelsbehandling er uforsvarligt. Ingen i den internationale gemstone samfund ville anerkende en sådan sondring.

Nedenfor er den fulde udskrift af § 32, så vi kan blive klart, at der er intet i den nuværende lov, der forhindrer de mange traditionelle lille skala minearbejdere fra at foretage en ærlig lever af sådanne aktiviteter.

* Lov om mineralressourcer i Grønland .*

* (Den mineralressourcer handle) *

§ 32.

/ Den fastboende befolkning i Grønland kan som hidtil indsamle og ekstrakt mineralressourcer, uden at dette kræver en licens i henhold til denne lov. /

Underafdeling 2.
/ /
/ Retten i underafdeling 1 til at indsamle og ekstrakt mineralressourcer kan dog kun udøves med respekt af eksklusive licenser til udnyttelse af mineralske ressourcer, der ydes til andre i henhold til denne lov. /

Underafdeling 3.
/ /
/ Inden for precincts af en kommune det lokale byråd kan fastsætte nærmere regler om udøvelsen af rettigheder i henhold til underafdeling 1 til at indsamle og ekstrakt mineralressourcer ". /

End § 32.

Faktisk den BMP tilskyndes efterforskning, eksport og salg af Ruby uslebne af residenter i Grønland ved at sponsorere de grønlandske Stone klub til at deltage i Tucson Fair et par år siden.

Øjeblikket den 16. august Union er ved at forberede en fuldstændig reaktion på forslaget, der er blevet fremsat af BMP. Den Europæiske Union (ikke en fagforening) har været meget omhyggelige med at indsamle og arkivere dokumenter og dokumentation til støtte for deres krav, men som du vil være bekendt, ikke har den rigdom og ressourcer, at virksomhedernes organisationer og regeringer gøre, det tager tid at gøre en formelle svar i en kulturelt passende måde at mennesker, der ikke forstår eller i nogle tilfælde endda erkende, at forskelle i verden se og kultur eksisterer.

Derfor vil jeg venligst anmode om, at enhver bekymret over denne situation besøg www.fairjewelry.org og støtte den 16. august Union andragende ved at følge linket øverst på siden. Vi ønsker at åbent fremme en gennemsigtig, intelligent og livlig debat om dette emne, da det er et spørgsmål om offentlig orden og indfødte rettigheder.

Vi beder om, at spørgsmålet om personlig forskellen mellem enkeltpersoner og virksomheder ikke skal bringes i en debat, der overskrider personlige bitterhed og er grundlæggende for de mange oprindelige samfund rundt omkring i verden, der står over for lignende marginalisering fra deres meget jord, de kærlighed og respekt.

Vi ser alle frem til den dag, hvor nogen af os kan købe en sten fra en traditionel minearbejder i Grønland og dermed skabe en langsigtet bæredygtig fordele for alle vores økonomier.

Mange tak,

Greg Valerio
(Med tilladelse og på vegne af den 16 august Union.)

Tags: Best Practices, Fair Trade, Fair Trade Gems, Fair Trade smykker, Grønland Rubiner, minedrift, Rubiner, Gennemsigtighed ved Greg Valerio
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Redaktionelle af Marc Choyt, Publisher, Fairjewelry.org

Mineselskaber har deltaget med regeringer til at underminere de rettigheder for oprindelige små minearbejdere i hundredvis af år. Typisk, "loven" er brugt som deres skjold og undskyldning. Selv i den udviklede verden, mineselskaber og lobbyister hemmelige aftaler med embedsmænd til at skrive de love, der støtter deres profit drevet mål.

Andrew Lee Smith, CEO for True North Gems, Inc., (tng) ønsker hans selskab skal bemærkes, som eksemplariske i deres udøvelse af Grønland ruby, og i sit interview, han henvisninger folk i sektoren, der er højt respekteret for deres fair trade perle praksis.

Alligevel vil sammen med en lov, når en lov er tvetydig eller uetisk er ingen måde for en moderne virksomhed til at opføre sig, især en, der mener: "De dage af kolonialistiske tilgang til minedrift er en anakronisme."

På nuværende tidspunkt, for eksempel, Grønlands Bureau of Minerals og Petroleum (BMP), der overtræder etableret grønlandske lovgivning såvel som gamle Inuit tradition, har besluttet, at Native grønlænderne kan kun mine "semi-ædle" ædelstene, men denne forskel mellem ædle og semiprecious har ingen juridisk gyldighed i det internationale perle handel. True North behov for at tage en klar, offentlig holdning imod denne løgn, som klart spiller i deres hænder, da de har tilladelse til at mine såkaldte "dyrebar" grønlandske rubiner.

(Med den politiske mordet på burmesiske Rubiner i Vesten, Rubiner fra Grønland vil blive ivrigt søgte ud af det lukrative amerikanske og europæiske markeder)

True North også har gjort mange alvorlige kulturelle og politiske fejl, især for en virksomhed, der er branding sig selv som under den store vej. I hans interview, Smith syntes ikke at have nogen mening af de 16 aug EU's folkelig opbakning i Grønland og internationalt. Jeg kom også på tværs af gentagne regnskaber af bemærkninger fra True North's ansatte, der var så dybt racistisk, at ingen vil gå om registrering af frygt for at blive sagsøgt. Inden sidste sommer, tng's projektleder, ifølge vidner, skreg i ansigterne på indfødte grønlændere i 16 aug EU: "Dette er krig!"

Selv nu, tng fortsat en marketing kampagne, tidsindstillede perfekt med begyndelsen af den burmesiske ruby boykot, hvori den forsøger at skildre sin grønlandske rubin som "fair trade" og "konflikt fri." For at citere National juvelr, som taler om tng åbning i forbindelse med den burmesiske ruby forbud: "Det er planen at tilbyde rubiner, der er konflikt-fri og fair handel, i størrelser, der spænder fra nærkontakt op til så meget som fem karat."

Teresa Novellino, ansvarshavende redaktør for National juvelr, der skrev denne artikel, fik disse oplysninger fra marketing firma tng hyret til at fortælle deres side af historien.

De hævder at være fair trade og konflikt fri i forbindelse med de grønlandske rubin er uvederhæftig og vildledende. Den portrætterer aktuelle begivenheder unøjagtigt og underminerer legitime forsøg på andres inden for smykker sektor, herunder mit eget, til at skabe reel fair trade-standarder for smykker sektor.

Men på dette tidspunkt, støbning skylden er sandsynligvis en nytteløs øvelse. Grønlænderne får deres rettigheder til minen deres grønlandske rubin, og jo længere den lokale regering forsinkelser, jo stærkere deres bevægelighed vil vokse. Til en vis grad, True North har været en katalysator for at skabe en stærk bevægelse til støtte for uafhængighed fra Danmark, der skal finde sted på juni 29st, 2009.

Men i lighed med Greg Valerio, af CRED smykker, jeg tror, at True North er stadig sidder på hegnet-et elektrisk hegn, som er ved at blive tændt. Deres arktiske rubiner er blevet stemplet som "apartheid rubiner" af Niels Madsen, en ny leder i det lokale samfund.

True North har nu en mulighed, som vil indstille præcedens for resten af smykker sektor. De bør vælge at gøre det rigtige. Som et smykke producenten selv, kan jeg bevidne, at sektoren som helhed bor i en indhyllet i massive benægtelse af dens grusomheder. For eksempel, ikke en diamant forhandler nogensinde har været holdt ansvarlige for indkøb af bloddiamanter resulterer i død næsten fire millioner afrikanere. Dirty guld fra untraceable kilder fortsætter med at blive brugt til at gøre forurenede smykker i massivt omfang.

Hvad er størst behov for at genskabe den menneskelige værdighed er sandheds-og forsoningskommission.

True North Gems kan begynde med offentligt undskylde til den 16 august Union og til alle de gode mennesker i Grønland. Blandly munden "kedel-plade" nøgleord, løft fra marketing undersøgelser er bare ikke godt nok. I stedet tng skal tilbage Grønlands håndværksmæssige gemstone minearbejdere, at nå fra minen til markedet selv om generøse forbehandling tilskud, lokale uddannelse, og lokale leje.

Tng succes i deres Grønland ruby projekt kan bedst sikres ved at binde deres egen skæbne til det artisinal minearbejdere, at sikre levedygtigheden af deres økonomiske aktivitet. Denne omkostningerne ved denne type investeringer, skabe en win / win situation, er minut i forhold til det potentielle afkast. .

Ligesom dage kolonialistiske tilgang er overstået, så er dagene i uvidende Native uden ressourcer.

Ligesom deres brødre og søstre i det nordvestlige område, og som har været i stand til at stå op til store diamantminerne, Inuit har lært af historien og har stærke allierede.

Der er masser af rubiner i Grønland, nok til alle. En lille dosis af virksomhedernes ydmyghed er et lille pris at betale for at forsvare tng's aktionærer, som er med rette bekymret over en virksomhed og brand, der er i fare for at blive permanent tilsmudset.

Tags: Best Practices, CSR, Diamonds, Miljø-og Fair Trade, Fair Trade Gems, Green Emner, Grønland Rubiner, Smykker Manufacturing, Madison Dialog, minedrift, Rubiner, Spin, Gennemsigtighed af Marc Choyt
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I et land, hvor vinteren søn vil kun stige i en time om dagen, det ruby, til Inuit, er indehaver af "den guddommelige flamme, der aldrig går ud."

Niels Madsen vidste, hvor Fiery krystal sparkled ud af jorden som røde stjerner i mørke arktiske nat. Dette særlige sted, en halvø af jord mellem to dybe Artic blå søer, kaldet til ham. Han er en indfødte grønlændere, der vandreture i to verdener, med en Inuit mor og en dansk far. Bortset fra den tid, der bruges i Danmark, hvor han gik i lære trykningen handel, han har boet i Grønland næsten hele sit liv.

Igennem århundreder har inuitterne havde scorede op rubiner, mens de jages eller indsamlet bær-en ret beskyttet af grønlandske lovgivning. Madsen vidste, selv om ingen Selskabet havde en juridisk anerkendt ruby påstand, at denne ret vil snart blive testet.

Niels Madsen, Inuit

Han var ikke efter den typiske grønlandske rubiner, der havde været på markedet i flere år - de lavere lønklasser materiale udhugget i kulturelle mementos som blev solgt til turister.

De rubiner han søgte var af fineste kvalitet perle-måske mere værd end diamanter.

Bare ved at sætte en skovl i jorden, hvor disse rubiner var rigeligt ville være som at stå på toppen af et bjerg og bevæger sig en rullesten, der ville ændre løbet af en mægtige flod.

Det ville starte en proces, som ville afsløre for hele verden, hvad han vidne til, at forbindelsen mellem en storstilet mineselskab og Bureau of Minerals og Petroleum (BMP), som forsøgte at skære grønlænderne ud af sand økonomisk gevinst og samtidig opretholde en anakronistisk koloniale struktur.

Til Madsen, den ruby "prøver", at en udenlandsk minedrift interesse fjernet fra jorden, skete det under en ny ordning, der er designet til at holde grønlænderne ud.

Madsen kaldte sådanne ædelstene, "apartheid rubiner."

Indkaldelsen af den guddommelige flamme

Den 14 august 2007, Madsen og fire andre, herunder hans søster, forladt landsbyen Qeqertarsuatsiaat. De fik på en vens fiskeri båd og gjorde turen langs Grønlands kyst, trolling gennem den kolde farvande.

Han vidste præcis, hvad han var ude efter og hvor kan man finde dem. Madsen blevet instrueret til at se den kommercielle værdi af nye ruby indskud ved gemologists lejes ved True North Gems, Inc., (tng) det canadiske mineselskab, at nu var hans nemesis.

Tng havde været i drift på kun en sonderende licens, indsamling op og fjerne ruby uslebne for år.

http://www.truenorthgems.com/newreleases/nr2008_Jan16.html

Tidligere denne sommer, Madsen havde mødtes med Greg Davison, en ny tng manager fra Canada. Madsen tidligere havde arbejdet for True North Gems. Davison ønskede at rehire Madsen til projektet, men Madsen var ikke interesseret.

"Jeg fortalte ham, at jeg kunne komme ned og indsamle sten på min egen, og han aftalte, fordi jeg havde arbejdet med tng i 2005. Men han ønskede at gøre en gentleman's agreement, at grønlænderne holdt sig væk fra et sted, der havde perle kvalitet ruby - det bedste sted, "sagde Madsen.

Davison gav to grunde til at ønske ham væk.

Første: Davison var forpligtet til at dokumentere alt, hvad der var fjernet fra det pågældende område. Det var kun delvist nøjagtige-it anvendes til True North, men ikke Madsen, der havde sine rettigheder til hånd-minen.

Andet, Davison fortalte ham, at de uslebne afholdt nogen værdi.

Dette ligger gjort Madsen vred. Han havde en rubin i sin hånd, der var værd at en halv million dollars. Han vidste, at mange mennesker havde i deres egen besiddelse rubiner af samme kvalitet.

"Jeg ønskede ham til at fortsætte med at synes, at jeg var dum," sagde Madsen, som ikke umiddelbart svare på Davidson. "Men jeg straks begyndte planlægningen til at gå, hvis han ikke ønsker mig at gå. Jeg vil bringe en grønlandsk flag, fordi de klipper er ikke sandt North's-de stadig er ejet af Grønland. "

(Jeg forsøgte at interviewe Davidson til denne artikel for at få hans version af begivenhederne, men jeg blev henvist direkte til Andrew Lee Smith, CEO for True North. Hans interview er offentliggjort her.)

Men Madsen var ikke nogen, der forsøgte at gøre opmærksom på sig selv. Han ønskede blot at grave et par sten, klippe dem og sælge dem til en rimelig pris for et par jewelers interesserede i grønlandske rubiner. Han havde en kone og en familie til foder.

(Til indfødte grønlændere's, mineralet væld af deres jord er en hellig tillid, og ikke en til at blive skrabet væk.)

Fra hans synspunkt, de svage til gavn for lokalbefolkningen kan se frem til fra tng's tilstedeværelse var midlertidigt på deltid beskæftigelsen og den lokale skat, ekstra arbejdskraft genereret.

"Jeg sammenligner det til et krydstogtskib med turister, der kommer i en grønlændere hjem, tager TV, stereoanlæg og en pæn tabel, og jeg betalt for at føre disse ud til skibet," sagde Madsen. "Vi ville ikke få værdien af de varer, men kun ville blive betalt for den grunt arbejde."

Det blev klart for ham, hvorfor hans bestræbelser på at skabe reel økonomisk fordel ved at ruby var blevet forpurret. En tjenestemand fra BMP havde fortalt Madsen, "Det er ikke hensigten, at den rigdom gå til folk som dig. Det tilhører staten i Danmark. "

Men rubiner var, som Inuit historier fortalt, en skole af laks, som svømmede i land. De var en del af den overflod og skønhed på jorden, at efter hans opfattelse ikke var en handelsvare, men en gave for alle. Hvis han vandt ruby rigdom, han ville dele det med andre. Han ville give Inuit, og de ville spredes ud på jorden gerne caribou.

Den Gemologist lærer

De begivenheder, der august kunne spores tilbage til 2004, hvor True North lejet en økonomisk geolog og opgradere gemologist, William Rohtert.

Rohtert tidligere havde været ansat ved Rio Tinto i 1980'erne og 1990'erne, hvor han blev involveret med udfordringerne i at udforske og udvikle forekomster af diamanter og farvede lommesten. Han havde årtier af området og marketing erfaring i perle handel.

Oprindeligt Rohtert var chokeret over de miljømæssige transformation i Grønland på grund af den globale opvarmning. "Temperaturerne nåede op til firs grader om sommeren, og hver sommer, havet is tilbagetrækninger længere nordpå. Selv det nordvestlige passage blev der kommer åbne, "bemærkede han.

Med vigende af sne, guld, platin, diamant, safirer og perle kvalitet ruby var blevet opdaget.

Han viste sit arbejde i Grønland som en perfekt situation, der ville skabe enorm gavn for både lokalbefolkningen og aktionærerne i True North Gems.

(William Rohtert - Hamming det op)

"Han ofte sagt til mig med et stort smil, alle vinder!" Sagde Madsen. "Der vil være mange indskud tilbage efter tng har gjort deres krav. Vi var alle glade for i disse år, og det syntes som om intet var for godt for grønlænderne. "

Rohtert og hans besætning brugt meget tid på det område, der søger efter høj kvalitet indskud. Som specialist i den klassificering af uslebne ædelstene, han så i venerne i ruby nogle sten, at rivaled den burmesiske Hmong Hsu ruby depositum, som er den mest produktive og værdifulde ruby deponering i verden.

"I Burma, hvor rubiner er blevet udvundet i årtusinder," Rohtert sagde, "du har en halv million mennesker på udkig efter rubiner, mange arbejder i sørgelige vilkår. I Grønland, moderne udforskning var for ringe, før True North ".

Rohtert oplevede en enestående mulighed for positiv indvirkning på verdensmarkedet. He convinced True North that, done right, Greenland could be a win-win situation for the company and the nation.

In the jewelry sector, particularly over the past few years, a new trend has emerged: beneficiation , which is an attempt to maximize economic benefit by adding additional manufacturing processes in the mine to market supply chain.

Greenland ruby seemed like an ideal product. With money provided by True North Gems, he purchased faceting machines and brought in teachers to teach gemstone cutting and jewelry design.

To Rohtert’s astonishment, Madsen and others in the village quickly became highly skilled in the polishing of ruby gemstones. He was impressed with the natural jewelry making talents of both the men and the women in the village.

Local enthusiasm for the gemstone business was strong. “In the modern world,” he explained, “companies often spend millions of dollars to create a market image for their product. Here you have this beautiful ruby product made by beautiful people in a beautiful land.”

“Their culture in the purist sense is communal, living or starving together is the survival mechanism. Now they feel they have brought in a whale called ‘rubies’, so it is alien to the people for a single company to go in there and take what belongs to them all.”

Rohtert left TNG in February 2007. He expressed a desire to help solve the current dilemma. “I wish the company well,” he said.

The Most Valuable Rubies

The boat ride to the ruby site took nearly six hours. From the landing, the trip up to the lakes was not far. Madsen and his four companions traveled light, walking half the day inland with just a simple shovel, tents and their food. They planned to stay a few days to hunt, fish, and gather ruby the way the Inuit always had.

Cupped into the mountains above the sea were two glacial lakes, deep green and blue, sparkling in the sun. The rubies were located on a peninsula, like a figure eight, that cut between the waters.

It was approximately 11AM when Madsen arrived, and he could see that the Canadians, who had already arrived by helicopter, were drilling and chain sawing for rubies.

All Madsen wanted to do was shovel in loose dirt and gather a few rocks that he could take home.

Soon a TNG official approached and told Madsen that he was not allowed to be there while they while they were mining.

(This ruby, valued at half a million dollars, could have brought badly needed prosperity. Instead, it was confiscated from its Inuit owner.)

“Are you mining?” Madsen asked. “You are not allowed to mine—just explore.”

She corrected herself and according to Madsen, replied that she was just exploring

“Have you read the law?” Madsen asked.

She had not.

“I have read the law,” he said, “And I am allowed to be here. If you want to complain, you will have to have the court decide.” (See the accompanying post on Greenlandic law.)

They began the simple act of digging. Yet the act was symbolic, for Madsen and for his friends — akin to Mahatma Gandhi’s march to the ocean where he and his friends and their handful of salt would take down the British Empire.

They were making history. This was the first time an Inuit had openly defied the BMP and a major multinational mining company.

According to Madsen, True North’s employee left the site to contact the BMP. This indicated that they had no plans for blasting because a satellite phone was not on the premise. His group continued to dig, surrounded by mountains, snow and the beautiful lake, hearing only the sound of their breathing and the shovel against the earth.

True North’s people returned later that day, photographing their activity.

On the third day, Madsen and his group heard the percussive thump of chopper blades bouncing off the stark mountains.

The helicopter landed close in and BMP officials jumped out with three armed police officers who encircled their group. Madsen described them as aggressive and intimidating in their tone.

In the ensuing discussions, Madsen was told by an official from the BMP, in front of the police, that his network for exportation was too good, because of his connection with Rohtert.

Now, Madsen turned to a policeman and asked if he understood what had been said. The officer told him he could not possibly remember what he had just heard.

Madsen and his group observed the police scurrying about the ruby fields, collecting the red crystals and stuffing them into their own pockets.

The group was presented with a remarkable letter from the official with the BMP addressed to Madsen: he was not allowed to prospect or sell any mineral collected on Greenland.

This letter was the first of its kind in the history of the nation.

Later that morning, Madsen met Davidson. “He was standing with two True North Gem guys and the helicopter pilot working for Air Greenland ,” said Madsen. “I asked Davidson if he was coming to my country with his lies and stealing and making war on us for the ruby.”

According to Madsen, Davidson said loudly and emphatically, “This is war!”

In an interview later about the incident published in the local press, Davidson stated that the site was being prepared for blasting. He defended the rights of Inuit to collect rubies, though stated that it seemed “unreasonable” to have prospectors come to their “main discovery site” where they had heavily invested.

He also told Nuuk TV that because they were five people with shovels, instead of two, their activities “were intending commercial effort” rather than “personal use”.

However, no where under Article 32 , the code governing the mining of gemstones for Greenland, is there any restriction of of group size, tools used, or quantity taken.

A few months after these events, Madsen met a gemologist hired by the BMP who looked at the rough he had gathered and told him that he was already a millionaire.

From the group of five, Madsen formed the August 16th Union, whose objective was to secure the rights of all Greenlanders to artisanally mine and sell rubies.

Gathering Allies

In a recent public town meetings, Madsen had asked BMP authorities, with True North officials present, “If I find a ruby and facet it, and it‘s worth a million,” Madsen asked, “Can I export it under article 32?”

Now, the answer is, no.

Until 2006, all Greenlanders had clear rights to mine and sell rubies. All that they needed was an export license which up until that time was easily available.

Permits for export had been granted to the Greenland Stone Club, which the BMP sponsored. They were allowed to export for the Tucson International Gem and Mineral Show , as well as at the Munich Mineral Show , on four occasions between 2001 and 2005.

Madsen also stated that the BMP has stopped all mineral export licenses for other Greenland citizens as well, except for “semi-precious” gems.

This specious distinction between precious and semiprecious is not recognized by the international gem trade, not mentioned under Article 32.

“They don’t know how to handle the case,” explained Madsen. “They promised me an export license but they won’t give one to me.” The rocks collected before August 16th are now, what Madsen calls, ‘outlaw rocks.’

BMP is asking that small scale miners pay the same exploitation fees, 100,000 DKK (about $19,600), as the large scale mining companies.

(Click on this image for detailed map of Greenland’s Mineral Resources)

Soon after the union formed, a United Kingdom jeweler, Greg Valerio, founder of Cred Jewellery , got involved. He had heard about the rubies and visited the country to purchase some. (See accompanying post )

Valerio had pioneered the fair trade mine-to-market concept in the emerging ethical jewelry space. He was a co-founder of the Association of Responsible Mining ( ARM ), which has developed fair trade gold standards for small scale artisanal mining in South America.

With experience in dealing with governments, corporations and NGOs around the issue of artisan small scale mining, he has thrown himself into the legislative process in support of the 16 August Union.

“What TNG and the BMP are trying to do is so duplicitous,” he explained. “They are trying to appear as a friend of small scale mining, but want them to fulfill a Native stereo type, selling carved low grade ruby trinkets to a nearly non-existent tourist trade and not engage in real economic activity.”

Valerio has teamed up with Madsen. He also has a commercial interest, as the founder of Cred Jewellery , which is establishing a resource based platform for ethical jewelry which can supply the entire sector with precious metal and gems of the highest fair trade standard.

The CEO of True North Gems, Andrew Lee Smith stated that he fully supports the lawful small scale mining and selling of rubies by Greenlanders. “The Union’s issue is with the Greenland government, less so than True North,” he said.

Smith views the accusations of collusion between TNG and BMP against the Inuit’s rights to small scale mining and selling of rubies as absolutely false, and considers the August 16th Union, a radical faction engaging in illegal activities with little support from Greenlanders.

Valerio is not opposed to True North Gem’s mining interests, as long as the Inuit are also able to get a fair share of what is a rightfully theirs. He has been in contact with Greg Davison.

“True North Gems is on the fence,” he said, “claiming that they support indigenous mining issues, but also claiming that they must obey the law. Obeying a bad law is bad business.”

Most Recent Developments

The BMP continues to stonewall Madsen’s export license.

Permits to the Greenland Stone club have also been denied, prompting several of those members to join the August 16th Union, which now numbers forty members.

(What will this little girl’s future be like? Will she benefit from the wealth of her ancestral lands?)

At a meeting on September 18, 2008, between the BMP and the 16 August Union, Madsen was told that he was could not travel within 300 meters of a worksite. He can only take “lesser value” opaque corundum and is absolutely forbidden to ever go to the site between the two lakes again.

Greenlanders are now allowed only to sell semiprecious gems, not precious gems, a specious distinction that is not recognized in the international gem trade.

Beyond Greenland, new sources of high grade rubies remain difficult to locate. Burma has historically provided as much as ninety percent of the world’s rubies, but the US and EU passed laws which make their possession illegal. The jewelry sector is hungry for a new source of for high quality rubies, which can be more valuable than diamonds.

Madsen has hired a lawyer to help him, though he is quickly running out of money. He has circulated a petition on behalf of the August 16th Union, demanding the rights to have small scale mining and selling of rubies as guaranteed under Article 32.

He has proven that his Union is not a radical fringe movement by gathering 2600 signatures on a petition for small scale mining rights in just three weeks. This number represents four and a half percent of the entire nation of 57,000. The petition has drawn another 750 signatures from international supporters who have signed up online.

If Madsen and his 16 August Union, succeed in their goal, it will set precedent in Greenland. The indigenous people will gain the right to have small scale mining on their ancestral homelands.

A Great Sea

The great sea
Has sent me adrift,
It moves me as the week in a great river
Earth and the great weather move me,
Have carried me away
And move my inward parts with joy.

Inuit woman shaman
quoted by Rammussen

Tags: CSR , Fair Trade , Fair Trade Gems , Greenland Rubies , Mining , Rubies , Spin , Transparency by Marc Choyt
1 Comment »

Introduction:

Andrew Lee Smith, Founder and CEO of True North Gems (TNG), described his companies’ fine track record of beneficiation both in Greenland and in other First Nation Communities. He states that the accusations of collusion between TNG and BMP against the Inuit’s rights to small scale mining and selling of rubies are absolutely false.

In sum, his position has been entirely consistent: to work lawfully in Greenland, to provide benefit to local community and also, to provide a new source of highly ethical gemstones to the jewelry sector.

“The Union’s issue is with the Greenland government, less so than True North,” he said. “The days of colonialist approach to mining are an anachronism in today’s industry. Not only is an exploitative approach to rights of local peoples an abdication of a moral obligation, it is fundamentally good business to make sure you have the support of local people… we want to bring benefit with whatever we do.”

Twice in the interview, Mr. Smith reiterated his complete support of small scale mining and selling of rubies by Native Greenlanders, so long as it is lawful.

I am most grateful for Mr. Smith taking a considerable amount of time to answer to have this discussion. This interview was conducted by phone. The transcript was then then emailed to Mr. Smith for his final approval.

Below is our conversation with limited editing. ~ Marc Choyt, Publisher

Marc Choyt: First, what is your background, and how did you come to be CEO of True North Gems?

Andrew Lee Smith: I founded true north gems in 2000. I am a geologist by training and have been in the minerals and exploration business for twenty-five years.

Working on this story about the relationship between the Inuit and True North was in many ways very discouraging. What have you learned from what has taken place?

Who are your sources?

Marc Choyt: Among several people, I have been writing about Niels Madsen.

Andrew Lee Smith: I encourage you to check your sources. It is my understanding that Neils and his group refer to themselves as Greenlandic, but I may be may be mistaken.

We have been operating for 8 years in 3 major aboriginal communities including Greenland and our track record with working with Native people is very good. In particular, our dealings with the Kaska First Nation in Canada’s Yukon Territory has demonstrated the company’s approach to dealing with the rights of First Nations. True North Gems was the first Canadian company to sign a landmark agreement with a local First Nation that recognized their rights to their traditional territory. An act of which the company and I personally are very proud.

The MOU with the Ross River Band and the Kaska First Nation was the first of its kind and has since been used as a precedent for other agreements between individual companies and local first nations. It was based on the Babine Protocol which I helped to negotiate with a group of First Nations leaders and a group of resource industry representatives convened by the Premier of British Columbia in 1998. The Babine Protocol was never ratified.

Marc Choyt: What about the claims of the August 16 Union?

Andrew Lee Smith: I am not aware of the specific claims of the August 16th Union so it is hard for me to comment. My understanding is that the incident of August 16 is somehow being portrayed as an attempt by True North and the Greenland government violate the rights of indigenous people. This is a misrepresentation and I am of the opinion that there is a lot of disinformation being generated about the incident. We work closely with the local people of Fiskenaesset and our relationship with this local community has been mutually respectful. Niels is not part of the local community of Fiskenaesset.

Our relationship with the local government, the Kommun of Fiskenaesset, is excellent. I really believe that the perspectives of the people of Fiskenaesset, the BMP and local law enforcement officials need to be included if a true evaluation of the events of August the 16th is to be understood. We continue to develop programs to work with the local community, skill training, generation of jobs, are all part of True North’s intention to have a positive impact on local and regional economies with anything that we do.

We are firm supporters of the concept of ethical sourcing, certification and order to move our business plan forward. Working with local communities is key.

I encourage you to speak to the people we are working with instead of only radical groups engaged in illegal activities.

Marc Choyt: What happened at the site on August 16th?

Andrew Lee Smith: I was not a witness so I cannot provide any personal observations, but, as I understand it, the police were summoned by government because of illegal activities.

Marc Choyt: It was not your company that made the call? Who told them?

Andrew Lee Smith: No, it was the Greenland authorities as far as I know. Once the Greenlandic authorities became aware of what is going on the police were summoned to deal with an illegal act. True North’s participation in the incident was a result of our concern for the safety of our personnel in a confrontational situation and the fact that the incident was occurring on a property that we had the legal rights to explore.

Marc Choyt: Do you favor Inuit mining rights under Article 32 or Article 7?

Andrew Lee Smith: As I understand the spirit of Article 32, it is not designed to allow large groups of people to use mechanized equipment to extract gemstones. Its intent is to preserve the rights of local people to collect and use material that they find. I believe the Article allows for the extraction of to semiprecious gemstones by groups of no more than two.

Marc Choyt: But the notion of semi-precious gemstones has no credibility in the trade.

Andrew Lee Smith: It is my understanding that the Greenland government based the intervention on their interpretation of 32 which identified the activities of the August 16th Union as illegal. Again, I would urge you to speak with those involved if you intend to provide a true assessment of the events of August 16.

Marc Choyt: Right now, you feel you have a solid relationship with the Greenlanders?

Andrew Lee Smith: Yes, except for a vocal minority, that is portraying True North in a negative light. Our plans are to move forward cooperatively with local people and see them benefit along with our shareholders.

If you speak with a broader base of sources, you will find that there is not only support among key areas for what True North is attempting to do, but, you will find people who have serious issues with what the Union, engaging in illegal activity.

If you look at our company’s record in the Yukon and Baffin Island, you will see we are innovative in our relationships with local communities and local economies.

True North’s management and staff have become frustrated with being confronted by the one sided version of the “facts” as presented by the union and its representatives.

Marc Choyt: That’s why I wanted to hear from you.

Andrew Lee Smith: The Union is doing everything they can to cast in us in a negative way. I believe their issue is not with us, but with the laws of Greenland.

I would urge you to speak with representatives from BMP and police officials, in respect to what is taking place in respect to the ruby project in Greenland.

If you have not included the opinions of law enforcement, the local community and BMP you will be getting a biased version of the facts. We are quite happy to have you investigate.

The laws of Greenland are in the interest of Greenlanders and the context in which reasonable people operate and the context in which we operate. If the Union can be successful in having the laws changed, we will respect the laws.

At this point, there was some discussion between us about what constituted “facts.” Mr. Smith suggested that in order to get the full story, I need to hear the government. I also needed to diversify my sources. I explained that I was a part time blogger and the president of a jewelry manufacturing company, not a full time journalist. I was interested in hearing True North’s perspective. From my view, since True North was working within the laws over the government, it would be reasonable to expect that the officials would support Mr. Smith’s view. I had come to him so he could state TNG’s position clearly and for the record.

Then we continued our conversation.

Andrew Lee Smith: The support of the Aug 16th in Greenland is a small minority. More importantly, they do not have support at the local level in the community that we are dealing with.

Marc Choyt: Do you know about the petition that is circulating, asking for the rights to have small scale mine and selling of rubies?

Andrew Lee Smith: No.

Marc Choyt: In two weeks, I believe they already have 2000 signatures.

Andrew Lee Smith: We have no problem with Greenlanders mining and selling their rubies under article 32, under the interpretation of Greenlandic law.

The interpretation is not something that True North has something to do. We want to conduct ourselves within the laws of Greenland and exercise our rights.

Marc Choyt: I have heard that one of your plant managers quit—because of hostilities from your local community.

Andrew Lee Smith: My understanding is that his reasons had to do with a change in jobs. But I have not had a chance to speak to anyone. There is nothing specific there. It is just rumor and gossip.

In my opinion, the Union has an agenda that has more to do with the self interest of a few and less with the collective interests of the people of Greenland. Their communication, ideas and description of events is not necessarily an accurate portrayal of the facts.

The broader context here is that there is tremendous opportunity that could have benefits to a great number of people. True North is excited and happy about participating in that.

I take offense to any implication that there is a conspiracy to align our self interest against the Greenland people. If you have a look at the Company’s track record, we are held in high regard amongst First Nation communities in Canada.

Marc Choyt: What specific beneficiation programs have you implemented?

Andrew Lee Smith: Our efforts to date have been focused around the small gem polishing facility in Fiskensesset. Over the past three years we have purchased equipment, supplied rough stones and provided two sessions of professional instruction on polishing and jewelry design free of charge to local artisans. We have also helicoptered two large boulders of ruby ore to the village and placed them near a playground where children have access. These are two modest ways that we are attempting to connect with the local community and foster the development of a local gemstone artisans. If we are successful in developing a mining operation at Fiskensesset, we have a broader and more comprehensive plan to impact the local and regional communities in this regard. These plans will be detailed as part of a feasibility study.

Marc Choyt: Would you support the rights of the Greenlanders to the small scale mining and selling of rubies?

Andrew Lee Smith: We are not opposed to that small scale mining if it is lawful. However, rights that we have established to explore and potentially mine rubies in compliance with the laws of Greenland, must also be respected.

The issues they have are with the Greenlandic government. The Union goes out of their way to make this an issue for True North and I think that this is mis-directed.

Marc Choyt: Why is it misdirected?

Andrew Lee Smith: There exists in Greenland is a tremendous opportunity to develop a new source of ruby for the global trade. That is part of what True North sees as their role here. To offer alternative to the current suppliers of ruby to the global market – we see the opportunity to have a positive impact on the gemstone industry and generate tremendous benefits as well.

We are trying to develop a broader initiative —we see this as part and parcel of what we are doing.

Marc Choyt: What happens to your rough after it is mined?

Andrew Lee Smith: Transportation and auditing is done under BMP and is kept in our vaults in Vancouver. Some is sent in our manufacturing experiments, to determine the economic viability of project. It is done under strict codes of conduct, independent auditing and review by representatives from Greenland government. We are a public company and as such all our activities are highly regulated and audited, which includes the stone traffic.

Our stance is that we support the laws of the Greenland government and respect the local communities and it is the company’s obligation to conduct ourselves in a fashion that will have a positive impact on the local community. Our actions have benefits that will support local aboriginal people.

We have established a group of people around the company who have experience with issues of ethical sourcing. There is a tremendous opportunity here to develop a venture to meet market trends toward ethical sourcing and certification. In order to maintain that standard and maintain that mantle you have to practice what you preach.

We are a little defensive when we get falsely accused as stomping on people rights.

Marc Choyt: You have strict control of the material?

Andrew Lee Smith: Yes, chain of custody and assurance of source are critical to the certification process which a key aspect of True North’s business plan. A lack of stringent controls on stone traffic could allow for Greenland rubies to be diluted with ruby from other sources, such as Burmese material. A situation similar to what happened initially with Canadian diamonds.

If you are truly going to provide certification and confidence, you really have to be able to justify your operations all the way down the line.

As a public company, we are highly regulated, highly scrutinized and have a great deal of responsibility. We would never risk doing “off balance sheet transactions” or “stone diversion” as the practice is illegal for public companies and the penalties and liabilities are severe. The public domain which includes liability and full independent auditing is a much better business environment in which to advance issues of ethical sourcing in the gemstone industry.

Marc Choyt: You are not yet selling finished material?

Andrew Lee Smith: No. The rough that is currently in our possession and any material that we recover from our exploration activities is, and will be, the property of the Greenland government. We have no right to sell any of the material without the expressed consent of the Greenland government. Once we receive our mining license, we will have rights to produce and sell ruby material from a commercial operation.

If we can successfully establish a commercial ruby operation in Greenland, we see a real benefit to developing a partnership with the Greenlandic people with the Greenlandic government to move the stones out of the country as branded material.

We are also developing strategies for co-operation in the vale added component on a vertical integrated business plan.

These are all processes we are engaging with the Greenlandic government. To go into production the mine must be owned by Greenlandic company which we now have formed. If we are successful, it will be through that company that we will flow all the rough and participation in value added process. That is a requirement under Greenlanic law and it will be subject to all the auditing regulatory compliance required under the laws of Greenland.

These were follow up questions asked after the initial interview:

Marc Choyt: How long have you been collecting and exporting ruby rough from Greenland?

Andrew Lee Smith: We have been exploring for rubies in Greenland since acquiring our exploration license in 2004. Part of the exploration process requires us to extract bulk samples to establish the value of the deposit in order to determine whether a commercially viable ruby deposit exists. Under the terms of our exploration license, we have no rights to sell or, in any other way, distribute rubies, or ruby specimens recovered as part of the exploration process. Any and all material extracted is the property of the Greenland government, in our possession for the purpose of the evaluation only. The chain of custody, inventory and tracking controls for all of this material is in place and is subject to review by the BMP, and independent auditing by consulting firms representing the Greenland government.

Marc Choyt: How did you meet Eric Braunwart (of Columbia Gemhouse)? Who introduced you two initially?

Andrew Lee Smith: I have not met Eric personally, but he has been well known to True North management for the past three years. We have met with him on a few occasions to discuss the ideas of ethical sourcing, fair trade, the requirements for certification and the practices that Columbia Gem House employs in this regard. Two associates of Mr. Braunwart’s consult and advise True North Gems on these and other issues, John Emmet and Dr. David Hargreaves. Dr. Hargreaves has been named as the keynote speaker at GIA Annual Convention in San Diego next August. I understand that the thrust of his talk will be on fair trade and ethical practices

Marc Choyt: My understanding is that August 16th Union was formed to assure small scale mining and selling rights for local Greenlanders. You stated that TNG would not oppose this initiative if it were legal under Greenlandic law. Would it be correct to say that TNG does in fact support the core objective of the August 16th Union? I am not talking about their methods, which the BMP has determined are illegal—but specifically, their objective to secure mining rights.

Andrew Lee Smith: True North Gems supports the rights of indigenous people to benefit from the resources that exist within their traditional territories. These rights are currently defined by articles in the laws of Greenland and are respected by True North Gems.

We believe there are ways that current regulations could be modified to allow greater access for Greenlanders to mineral resources and we have made our opinions known to the Greenland government. True North Gems has no place in the political process of Greenland, but is committed to, and will continue to be committed to, conducting the Company’s business in a lawful and respectful manner. The Company’s expectations are that any rights that True North has established under the laws of Greenland are, and will be, recognized and respected equally.

Marc Choyt: Would TNG provide any assistance of work cooperatively with small scale mining by Inuit if it were permitted? If so, what would that look like?

Andrew Lee Smith: It is the belief of True North’s management that the rights of indigenous people make them stakeholders in any venture that takes place in territories traditionally occupied by them. Further, it is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders to see that these rights are recognized and that any benefit that stems from resource development is fully realized.

In the past, the company has supported local skills training programs through investment in equipment and education. We will continue to do so. If we are successful in establishing a commercial ruby mining operation in Greenland, it will be contingent on the Company demonstrating the benefit of the operation to the people of Greenland through socio-economic benefits studies and environmental impact assessment.

On both these fronts, the Company has engaged industry leading consultants with experience in Greenland and with the development of successful socio-economic benefit strategies implemented at the Argyle Mine in Australia and with diamond mining operations in Northern Canada. These programs are in development and will eventually be presented to the Greenland government and the local communities through report and public meetings. Should the results of our exploration conclude that a commercially viable ruby operation can be developed in Greenland.

Tags: Best Practices , CSR , Fair Trade , Fair Trade Gems , Greenland Rubies , Interviews , Mining , Rubies , Spin , Transparency by Marc Choyt
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Below, you can sign the petition written by the August 16th Union to the Premier of Greenland (Hans Enoksen), requesting the right to artisanally mine rubies and sell rubies from their ancestral land . (This is supposed to be protected under Section 32 of the Mineral Resources Act of Greenland .)

~ Marc Choyt, Publisher

Tags: Fair Trade , Fair Trade Gems , Greenland Rubies , Mining , Rubies , Transparency by Marc Choyt
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Introduction:

Greg Valerio of Cred Jewellers is one of fair trade jewelry’s most passionate activists and advocates. Here, he tells the story of how from a personal perspective of how he is working to bring social justice to the indigenous people of Greenland. Special thanks to Greg for permission to print this article, which will appear in a UK publication in a few weeks.

~ Marc Choyt, Publisher

I often ask myself the question ‘Why do I do jewellery?’ In many ways, it seems to be, the strangest of professions, especially for someone like myself whose principle motivation in life is the protection of human rights and the environment. I have always found it ironic that I should find myself in the jewellery sector that has no precedent, no history, no narrative, in a lot of ways, seemingly no intention of linking its product to the values that I stand for.

Yet on a recent trip to Greenland in July of this year, I suddenly realized the reason why I am in this space is precisely because I care so deeply and passionately about these two above issues and it affords me the opportunity to make a real difference.

At the turn of the year I was invited to go to Greenland by a gemologist from America and an Inuit small-scale miner called Niels Madsen. Niels was the unfortunate victim on the 16th of August in 2007 along with 4 other colleagues of his; this incident is one of the reasons why we as jewellers, need to be so engaged in issues of human rights, cultural rights and environmental protection. Niels is an Inuit and a small-scale ruby miner .

The Greenlandic Constitution enshrines in law as a native of Greenland; which interestingly is still owned by the Danish Crown , (People forget that there are still European Colonial powers in the world and