The Kivu Artisanal Mining Cooperative Program
Launched in 2019, The Kivu Artisanal Mining Cooperative Program is one of our cornerstone initiatives, representing our deep commitment to fostering a safe, ethical, and prosperous artisanal mining sector in North and South Kivu. In partnership with local Congolese NGOs, we have worked directly with several small-scale cooperatives to provide them with modern equipment and comprehensive training on best practices. Since its inception, the program has achieved significant, measurable milestones. As of the end of 2024, we were proud to announce that the program had successfully trained over 500 miners in mercury-free gold extraction techniques, dramatically reducing health risks and environmental impact. Furthermore, by establishing a direct, fair-trade purchasing model, we have helped increase the average income for participating miners by over 40%. This initiative, which has also supplied three key cooperatives with modern processing equipment, is a testament to our core belief that ethical sourcing is a powerful engine for sustainable community development.