Ethical Gold

OUR RAW MATERIAL: ETHICAL GOLD

Artisanal and Small-scale gold-Mining (ASM) is carried out by 15 million miners who support 60 million people in more than 50 countries from the poorest regions of the world. These areas are subject to economic exploitation, human rights violations, child labour abuses, but also to health risks and environmental inequalities. Mercury, cyanide, and other toxic substances are causing serious pollution in the air, soil and water. Technologies are rudimentary and work conditions are dangerous.

Faced with these issues, ethical gold is a positive, innovative, and promising response. It is produced by human-scale artisanal mining communities, held to rigorous environmentally friendly standards of transparency, environmental protection and social commitment.

ETHICAL LABEL

As the first Hong Kong true ethical jewellery brand, Bowrington Concept is committed to the exclusive promotion and use of ethical gold. Our ethical gold aims to implement mining facilities that apply rigorous ecological, social, and humane standards. Unlike other forms of uncontrolled gold panning, this mining industry is legal, organized by and for the miners themselves, in a cooperative-style management. It respects the environment, human rights, international labour regulations, and applies Fairtrade standards.

Today, our ethical gold get audits and certifies the mines, as well as each operator along the production process (refiners, smelters, jewellery-makers), making sure they exclusively use their Gold and respect its traceability, from the mine up to the final product. Bowrington Concept is certified, and audited each year.

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

SOCIAL IMPACT

Ethical mining provides a rewarding labour environment, with decent working conditions and fair wages. The "human development" bonus goes toward implementing and managing healthcare facilities, insurance, and education for children. This activity contributes to the growth of local economy, reduces poverty and corruption (money laundering, weapon funding) and helps to bring social appeasement in these countries. By giving craft miners access to export markets for their raw materials in fairer conditions, by strengthening their social status within their own countries (but also in the international trade market), It also allows them to practice their craft with pride and dignity.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

We continuously search for ways to reduce the harmful impact of uncontrolled gold mining. Several steps in the production process replace the use of mercury in favor of less harmful chemicals. Strict control of chemical manipulation and waste prevents the contamination of the soil and water, thereby protecting the food chain. Small-scale artisanal exploitation helps protect biodiversity. The label also anticipates and organizes the restoration of original ecosystems.