Blockchain and artisanal gold
In a policy paper, Antoinette van der Merwe from the Development Economic Group, explains the possibilities and challenges of using blockchain for a more transparent gold supply chain.
Gold mine in Burkina Faso. Photo: Ollivier Girard/CIFOR (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
To ensure responsible gold sourcing, accredited refiners often obtain gold directly from a few industrial mines, building up trust relationships and visiting these mines frequently. This approach is not feasible for artisanal mines, given their large numbers and the high-risk conditions in which they operate. Are there other options to ensure responsible sourcing from artisanal miners? Can blockchain substitute for trust relationships?
Read the full policy brief Download here. (PDF, 3.5 MB)