Both Soleil Metals processing plants declared compliant with Swiss Better Gold Step 1
Soleil Metals, the Peruvian subsidiary of the OCIM Group, announces that its two processing plants, Yacari and Victoria, have been declared compliant with Swiss Better Gold (SBG) Step 1. This announcement represents international recognition of Soleil Metals’ commitment to formalizing artisanal miners and, more broadly, to establishing a fully responsible and traceable gold value chain.
An innovative and ambitious model serving the artisanal mining sector
The Swiss Better Gold (SBG) association was created on the initiative of Swiss companies active throughout the gold supply chain to improve working and living conditions in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) communities and to offer its members a supply that meets strict ESG requirements. Its compliance with SBG’s Step1 is based on four pillars:
- Ensuring full compliance of processing plants with SBG criteria through targeted technical assistance
- Strengthening due diligence and traceability systems at processing plants
- Providing technical assistance to ore suppliers to improve working conditions in sourcing operations
- Better remuneration for the upstream part of the value chain
A strong commitment to continuous improvement
Following a thorough audit of the facilities in the field, this decision validates the commitment and iniciation of work of both processing units to reach SBG requirements in terms of environmental protection and living and working conditions (safety, hygiene, comfort, etc.). It also includes the accreditation of 109 artisanal miners, who are now authorized to supply Soleil Metals’ processing plants under this program.
Beyond this achievement, Soleil Metals is committed to a continuous improvement plan that covers, in particular:
- Technical support for its ASM suppliers to improve their working conditions, safety, and environmental practices
- The gradual expansion of the number of artisanal producers integrated into the SBG chain
- The continuous strengthening of its due diligence system
Concrete benefits for all stakeholders
Soleil Metals’ integration into the Swiss Better Gold program allows artisanal miners to become true partners, rather than mere customers, and to benefit from:
- Ongoing technical assistance to improve their practices
- Secure and transparent access to international markets
- Fair payment terms based on the international price of gold (LBMA)
- An SBG premium of $1.35 per gram of fine gold exported, part of which funds social and environmental projects
These benefits are a strong incentive for a growing number of artisanal miners to completing their formalization process. Beyond the miners themselves, these incentives offer mining communities the opportunity to escape the poverty, and even criminality, in which they have often been trapped.
For Soleil Metals, the compliance with Step 1 is a means of securing its supplies of responsible ASM ore and reinforcing the validity of its ESG strategy. Finally, it enables Swiss Better Gold to apply its requirements in the field and provide its members with truly responsible and traceable supplies.
Next step: towards full accreditation
Building on this initial recognition, Soleil Metals has already launched the second phase (Step 2) of the Swiss Better Gold accreditation process. This step aims to obtain full certification to market gold produced under the Swiss Better Gold label, meeting all 27 of the association’s responsible sourcing criteria. The Soleil Metals team is working actively, with technical support from SBG, to achieve these objectives as soon as possible and strengthen its positive impact on the entire gold value chain in Peru.
“Swiss Better Gold team is happy and proud of Soleil Metals’ achievement of our step 1. We deeply value the dedication and willingness to move forward and reach our sourcing criteria specifically developed for processing plants (intermediary refineries). We are confident that, by working together, we will achieve significant results that promote responsible mining and the well-being of artisanal miners in Peru”, explains Diana Cullilas, CEO de Swiss Better Gold.
“ This confirmation was the result of intense efforts by all Soleil Metals teams, both at headquarters in Lima and at the two processing plants, to meet SBG’s high standards. Beyond mere compliance, this has helped us raise our own operational practices to the highest international standards of responsibility ”, explains Vanessa Hungerbuehler, Head of Legal and Compliance at OCIM.
“ This first phase of the accreditation process represents an important step in our mission to develop a responsible gold supply chain that benefits both mining communities and the local economy, It demonstrates our commitment to supporting artisanal miners in moving towards more sustainable practices while guaranteeing them fair access to international markets, particularly to refineries ”, explains Laurent Mathiot, Chairman and CEO of OCIM.
