19.03.2024 The “Forum Responsible Gold” presents itself at Inhorgenta 2024

The BGR (External link)'s sector programme presented the “Forum Responsible Gold” at Inhorgenta by organising an exhibition stand and a panel discussion. Inhorgenta, Europe's largest jewellery trade fair, took place from 16 to 19 February 2024 in Munich.

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Visitors at the exhibition stand

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The Forum's exhibition stand at Inhorgenta

The BGR organised the exhibition stand in cooperation with the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM). The ARM developed the Fairmined Standard to certify responsibly sourced gold as well as to support the development of artisanal and small-scale mining organizations. The BGR stand was located in the sustainability area of the trade fair. For the first time, the sustainability area was positioned more prominently in the halls. The work of the Forum Responsible Gold was particularly well received by jewellery makers who want to know more about the ecological and human rights risks of gold mining and who need hands-own advice on how to manufacture jewellery with responsibly sourced gold.

On 18 February, the BGR hosted the panel discussion “Together for a sustainable future: In dialogue with gold miners from South America” together with Fairever GmbH and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM). The panel discussion was part of the trade fair's supporting programme. Around 50 visitors attended the panel discussion. Edgar Gutiérrez, a miner from Minera Oro Puno in Peru, offered particularly fascinating insights. At Minera Oro Puno, gold is separated from other ores using gravitational methods so that the miners do not need to use chemicals. The mine is certified by the Fairmined Standard, which means that the cooperative receives a premium. This enables the community to improve social facilities and the technical equipment of their mine. Other participants in the panel discussion were Felix Hruschka (Alliance for Responsible Mining), Guya Merkle (Vieri Jewellery), Desirée Binternagel (Fairever GmbH) and Alexandra Bechtum (Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources).

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Round table on responsible gold supply chains

The Forum Responsible Gold brings together representatives from the gold industry, jewellery manufacturing, academia, development cooperation and civil society to raises public awareness on responsible gold supply chains. Since 2018, the Forum has been coordinated by BGR's sector programme on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ (External link)). More information on the Forum Responsible Gold can be found here (External link).