en.Wedoany.com Reported - At the 16th International Mining Symposium, the Swiss Embassy, together with the Swiss Better Gold Association (SBGA), launched the "Swiss Better Gold Procurement Strategy: The Role of Processing Plants in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Gold," aiming to explore the central role of processing centers in promoting good practices, due diligence, and driving industry formalization.

Paul Garnier, Swiss Ambassador to Peru, pointed out during the event that gold traceability has become a key factor determining industry competitiveness and access to international markets. He emphasized that processing plants play an important role in streamlining the supply chain and creating more favorable conditions for ASM integration.

Olivier Demierre, President of the Swiss Better Gold Association, explained the model promoted by the organization, which supports compliant ASM processing plants and suppliers through technical assistance, due diligence guidance, and continuous improvement in areas such as formalization, health and safety, and environmental performance. He noted that the SBG model offers a pragmatic and scalable solution, leveraging the strategic position of processing plants within the gold value chain from ASM to refining.

During the panel discussion, Sergio Samaniego, General Manager of Minera Orex, pointed out that ASM formalization still faces structural barriers. He stated that miners struggle to formalize because the current system is inadequate, the state lacks the capacity to effectively achieve formalization, and there is a lack of incentives for improvement.

Vanessa Hungerbuehler, Legal and Compliance Director at OCIM, offered an international perspective, noting that processing plants can serve as control points to ensure a responsible supply chain. She explained that the position of processing plants in the supply chain allows them to verify conditions, identify risks, and exclude materials from illegal or non-responsible sources, while providing miners with clearer access to formal markets.

Diana Culillas, CEO of the Swiss Better Gold Association, emphasized that traceability is one of the core criteria in the model's development, enabling understanding of the gold's origin and strengthening the due diligence practices of processing plants beyond document control. She stated that the organization does not intervene as a regulatory body but offers help and technical assistance.

The panelists agreed that traceability can serve as a concrete tool to strengthen the formalization of ASM in Peru.

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