“No Dirty Gold” campaign gains retail support

Five leading US jewellers have joined the “No Dirty Gold” campaign, which is backed by environmental organisations and the charity, Oxfam America.

The jewellers have agreed not to use gold from the controversial Pebble copper and gold project near Bristol Bay, Alaska.

The companies are: Jon Bridge, Tiffany & Co, Helzberg Diamonds, Fortunoff, Leber Jewelers, Inc., and Blake’s Fine Jewelry of Alaska.

In total, 28 retailers have now signed up to the campaign’s “Golden Rules”, between them representing 23% of US jewellery sales.

The campaign was launched last December and its “Golden Rules” focus on human rights issues and the environmental impact of mining. It is currently petitioning against the Pebble Mine and 16 other mines around the world.

Northern Dynasty Mines is developing the Pebble copper-gold prospect (which is southwest of Anchorage) in partnership with Ango Amercian.

The companies have been criticised for failing to conduct an adequate consultation process and Bristol Bay residents are understood to be concerned about the impact of the mine on the area’s salmon fisheries.

The Pebble West project is believed to have a resource of 4.1 billion tonnes containing 42.1 million ounces of gold; 24.6 billion pounds of copper; 1.4 billion pounds of molybdenum and silver in addition.

The Pebble East project is believed to have a resource of 3.4 billion tonnes containing 42.6 billion pounds of copper; 39.6 million ounces of gold and 2.7 billion pounds of molybdenum.