Barequeros is how traditional artisanal gold miners in Colombia are called.
In the Department of Chocó, more than 500 barequeros are supplying the gold to a responsible international supply chain formed by members from the Swiss Better Gold Association (SBGA - www.swissbettergold.ch).
Set up by the Better Gold Initiative (BGI), a public partnership between the Swiss Better Gold Association (SBGA) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the initiative comprises support on the ground and the establishment of a supply chain, which partners Colombian International Gold Trader Anexpo, Colombian NGO Atabaque, major precious metals refiner Valcambi and luxury watch and jewellery Maison Chopard.
To date, more than five hundred Barequeros have received support from the on-the-ground BGI implementation team to attain the SBGA criteria of socially and environmentally responsible mining practices. As part of the scheme, the miners are subject to strict due diligence before they can sell their gold to Anexpo. The metal is then shipped to Switzerland where Valcambi refines it and Chopard finally uses it in the production of its precious watch and jewellery creations. The programme ensures that the Barequeros receive not only a competitive price but also a special SBGA Better Gold Incentive of 0.70 USD per gram for them to reinvest into improving their living and working conditions. In addition, this value chain allows them to know the exact destination of their gold.
