Swiss gold refineries have announced a commitment to ban any gold imports originating from indigenous regions in the Amazon, in a decision that lays out the increased trade measures that could be taken against Brazil.
Swiss-based companies are the world’s largest refineries, including Valcambi and Metalor. However, the transit of gold through Switzerland is being questioned as it is not transparent. Officially, the country is the world’s second largest metal importer. But organizations are critical of the decision not to detail the origin of each of the shipments.
Gold then enters the international market from its refineries already certified. Thus, Switzerland occupies the position of the world’s largest metal exporter. However, accusations are that this illegal gold is mixed with the metal of legal origin and entered into global trade.
The new deal was closed with the participation of Brazilian indigenous people and organizations such as Xingu Vivo para Semper and APIB, which sent a delegation to Europe.
The Swiss Association of Precious Metals Producers and Traders states in a press release:
1. Condemns all illegal mining, including indigenous areas of the Amazon region
2. Uncontrolled use of mercury is irreparably destroying the habitats of indigenous peoples and must be stopped.
3. The Brazilian government should protect the environment as well as indigenous people, and ensure that violence against indigenous people by illegal mining operators is stopped.
4. Indigenous and traditional communities should have the right to consult and free, prior and informed consent on projects that affect their regions, environments, economic, social and cultural rights and traditions;
5. The signatories are also aware of the public and indigenous opposition to the draft PL191/2020 that will open indigenous lands to mining and other commercial activities.
Faced with this situation, refineries announce:
Your commitment not to deal with gold from the indigenous lands of the Brazilian Amazon and to take the necessary technically and humanly feasible measures to monitor and identify such gold and not to purchase, import or refine illegal gold, including from Brazil;
Condemn and reject any mining activity in connection with protected areas of the Amazon without the free, prior and good faith consent of the affected communities;
Your critical assessment and key concerns regarding adverse effects of PL191/2020
source: Noticias
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