The World Gold Council (WGC), the market development organization for the gold industry, has launched Responsible Gold Mining Principles – a framework of clear expectations for consumers, investors and the downstream gold supply chain as to what constitutes responsible gold mining. The WGC, working with its members, the world’s leading gold mining companies, has set out the Principles that it believes address key environmental, social and governance issues for the gold mining sector.

It is the WGC’s aim that the Responsible Gold Mining Principles will become a credible and widely recognised framework through which gold mining companies can provide confidence that their gold has been produced responsibly. The WGC recognizes that environmental, social and governance considerations are becoming more important to consumers. The Principles aim to recognize and consolidate existing standards and instruments under a single framework.

Companies implementing the Responsible Gold Mining Principles will be required to obtain external assurance from a third party, independent assurance provider. This will provide further confidence to purchasers of gold that the gold they buy is responsibly mined and sourced.

The Principles can be accessed at www.gold.org/about-gold/gold-supply/responsible-gold/responsible-gold-mining-principles.