At the nexus of all stakeholders

Its strategic position from producers to end-users enables OCIM to generate a sustainable impact across value chains.

Largely informal value chains

A large proportion of the world’s precious metals are mined by small-scale, artisanal players, whose informal networks deny them access to international markets. The result is often indignity in working conditions and major environmental damage. At the same time, consumers are demanding responsible sourcing from manufacturers, with a positive impact on local communities. 
 This paradox is all the more acute given that such metals are at the heart of the new industrial revolution and the decarbonisation of our societies.

Our focus: integrating ASM into official and responsible supply chains

OCIM seeks to generate a positive impact by contributing to integrate ASM miners into formal value chains, mainly in two ways:

  • by helping them to develop and move towards best practices through on-the-ground support programs and funding.
  • by encouraging manufacturers and refiners to source from ASM miners while complying with the ESG requirements of international regulators such as LBMA.

By acting as a responsible partner between links in the chains, OCIM enables ASM miners to build a better future for themselves by lifting them out of their poverty trap, supporting their communities and offering them safer, more environmentally-friendly working conditions.

Active involvement in professional institutions and regulators...

London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) is the global regulator of precious metals. The LBMA has set up an ASM Task Force, in which OCIM is actively participating, whith a goal of providing ASM miners access to LBMA Good Delivery accredited refiners while helping such refiners to carry out due diligence on these ASM chains.

Swiss Better Gold (SBG) is a Swiss association providing support to artisanal, small and medium scale gold mining developing effective, sustainable and responsible supply chains. SBG is building an increasing flow of of responsibly produced ASM Gold for use by the most prestigious brands that are active members of SBG.

… and on the ground

Since 2024, OCIM has been participating in a support initiative set up by the Swiss Better Gold Association for small miners working for Minera Orex in the Arequipa region of southern Peru. The initiative comprises two successive and complementary phases:

  • Training program aimed at improving the health and safety conditions of artisanal miners working at Orex.
  • Insurance program designed to reduce the economic insecurity of workers and their families by covering them against a wide range of risks.

A new phase of this ambitious and successfull initiative is already planned.

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