Fair trade gold from Madre de Dios arrives in London as fine jewelry Amidst the growing expansion of illegal mining in the region of Madre de Dios, in Peru, a ray of hope emerges in the form of fair trade gold. Some artisanal miners have decided to transition towards a more responsible exploitation of gold, abandoning the use of mercury and adopting sustainable practices. This change has been made possible thanks to the integration of various initiatives, among which the Women Miners Network stands out, who will soon be sending jewelry.

Fair trade gold from Madre de Dios arrives in London as fine jewelry Amidst the growing expansion of illegal mining in the region of Madre de Dios, in Peru, a ray of hope emerges in the form of fair trade gold. Some artisanal miners have decided to transition towards a more responsible exploitation of gold, abandoning the use of mercury and adopting sustainable practices. This change has been made possible through the integration of various initiatives, among which stands out the formation of the Women Miners Network, who will soon be sending precious jewelry to London, marking a milestone in the region. Andrea José Castro, general manager of Casa Collab, has been a key figure in this transformation process. In collaboration with the NGO Pure Earth, Castro initiated a project to connect with artisanal miners practicing responsible gold extraction, in line with the "fair luxury" movement developing in countries like the United Kingdom. This partnership has allowed the development of a comprehensive model of responsible mining, which has been successfully implemented in the region of Madre de Dios. The certification obtained by the miners' association in 2023 from Fairtrade International has been a significant achievement in this path towards sustainability. This certification will allow them to sell their gold to jewelry companies that also have the fair trade seal, mainly abroad. According to Andrea José Castro, this certification not only ensures fair payment for the gold, but also an additional premium that many associations have allocated to beneficial community projects in the region. The next phase of this process involves the women miners of Madre de Dios selling the gold with added value, through unique and high-quality designs. Casa Collab has launched a collection called "Force of Nature" at the renowned jewelry store Cox & Power in London, using clean gold from the communities they work with in Madre de Dios. These pieces, inspired by Peruvian textiles and the Wari culture, represent an opportunity for jewelry houses to acquire responsible gold and learn about its origin through design. The commitment of Casa Collab and the artisanal miners of Madre de Dios remains strong despite the challenges they face, such as the advance of illegal mining in the region. Andrea José Castro has witnessed how illegal miners are affecting the work of artisans, but the reciprocal relationship established has allowed the responsible exploitation model to be maintained. The formation of the Women Miners Network will also play a fundamental role in replicating this model and expanding sustainable practices in the region. In a context where the price of gold has reached record levels, it is more important than ever to promote responsible mining and fair trade in Madre de Dios. The work of Andrea José Castro and Casa Collab is an example of how it is possible to transform the jewelry industry towards more ethical and sustainable practices. With the export of unique design jewelry and responsible gold, a new opportunity is opened for mining communities in the region, offering them opportunities for development and growth in an increasingly conscientious global market about the origin of their products.