Artisanal Gold Council

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The Artisanal Gold Council is anchored in the vision of an environmentally sound, socially responsible ASGM sector— supporting a global industry that sustains over 50 million livelihoods in 70+ countries. Small-scale Artisanal Gold Mining constitutes an important economic sector in more than 70 countries of the world, providing livelihoods for more than 50 million people.

06/16/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

In artisanal and small-scale mining communities, women are part of how work and daily life function, across extraction, processing, trading, managing earnings, and sustaining households and small enterprises.

Yet when decisions are made about mining policies, programs, and formal support systems, their roles are still often underrepresented.

On (15 June), the focus should go beyond visibility to how inclusion is actually practiced. Gender issues in mining cannot sit separately from core planning and governance, they need to be built into them from the start.

That also means working with women and men, along with government and other partners, to address persistent gaps in access to opportunities, safety, leadership, and participation in decision-making spaces.

At AGC, this is part of ongoing work in ASGM communities: making sure gender inclusion is reflected in how systems are designed and implemented.

06/16/2026

𝐀𝐆𝐂 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐌 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐦

On 9 June 2026, Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) Executive Director Roger Tissot participated as a panelist in the session "Beyond Traceability: Can Digital Tools Truly Deliver Reliable and Responsible Mineral Value Chains?" during the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM) Conference, "Balancing Interests: ASM's Role in Reliable and Responsible Value Chains," held at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The conference brought together more than 220 stakeholders from governments, industry, development organizations, academia, civil society, and mining communities to discuss how artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) can contribute to reliable and responsible mineral value chains amid growing global demand for minerals.

During the session, Roger joined fellow experts in exploring the opportunities and challenges of digital innovations in ASM, including traceability systems, digital monitoring tools, and other technologies that can support transparency, formalization, and responsible sourcing.

Beyond the panel discussions, the conference provided a valuable opportunity for AGC to engage with partners, practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and mining advocates from around the world who share a common commitment to improving the lives of artisanal and small-scale miners and advancing responsible mineral supply chains. The wide range of sessions and discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and inclusive approaches to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the ASM sector.

Congratulations to EPRM on the successful conference and on celebrating 10 years of fostering dialogue, partnerships, and action towards more responsible and inclusive mineral value chains.

📖 Read Roger's reflections from the conference:
https://bit.ly/AGC-EPRM-Reflection2026

📸 Photo credits: Lisa Suess / EPRM

06/13/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 | 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐒𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫?

Following his participation as a panelist in the session "Beyond Traceability: Can Digital Tools Truly Deliver Reliable and Responsible Mineral Value Chains?" during the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM) 10th Anniversary Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Artisanal Gold Council Executive Director Rene Roger Tissot Tissot shares his latest reflections on the future of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).

As digital tools, formalization efforts, and responsible sourcing initiatives continue to reshape mineral value chains, Roger asks a critical question:

Who benefits -- and who risks being left behind?

In this new blog post, he explores the opportunities and limitations of digitalization, the growing optimism around ASM entrepreneurship, and the need for more inclusive approaches that recognize the diverse realities of mining communities around the world.

Read the full article:
https://bit.ly/AGC-EPRM-Reflection2026

06/10/2026

The Artisanal Gold Council stands in solidarity with all communities affected by the recent earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and individuals impacted by this disaster and recognize the dedication of first responders, local authorities, humanitarian workers, and volunteers supporting affected communities.

As recovery efforts continue, we encourage everyone to stay informed through official advisories, prioritize safety, and support one another during this challenging time.

Our thoughts are with all those affected. 🇵🇭

06/09/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐭, 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥:

I’m pleased to join the upcoming session, "Beyond Traceability: Can Digital Tools Truly Deliver Reliable and Responsible Mineral Value Chains?", taking place on 9 June at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam as part of the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM) conference.

As demand grows for responsibly sourced minerals, the sector continues to explore how digital technologies can strengthen transparency, due diligence, and accountability across mineral supply chains. From traceability systems and digital records to mine-site monitoring tools and emerging blockchain applications, these innovations are reshaping how companies, governments, and development partners engage with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).

At the Artisanal Gold Council, we have seen both the opportunities and challenges that come with deploying digital solutions in ASM contexts. Technology can be a powerful enabler, but its success depends on whether it delivers tangible benefits for miners and supports more inclusive, responsible, and reliable mineral value chains.

I look forward to exchanging perspectives with fellow panelists and discussing how digital tools can move beyond compliance requirements to generate meaningful impact on the ground.

🤝 Speakers
- Uyanga Gankhuyag, ACP-EU-UNDP Development Minerals Programme, UNDP
- Jeannette Greven, TDi Sustainability
- Hans Merket, IPIS – International Peace Information Service
- Rene Roger Tissot, Artisanal Gold Council
- Maryia Vazmitsel, LuNa Smelter Ltd

The session is co-hosted by LuNa Smelter Ltd and moderated by Aleksandra Cholewa of TDi Sustainability, with opening remarks from Robert Pijpers of EPRM.

06/09/2026

🌍 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐒𝐆𝐌 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐥

AGC's Regional Manager for the Sahel, Saidou Kabré, participated in three key sessions during two major international events held in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire from June 2–5, 2026.

At Mining the Connections 2026, Saidou shared lessons and achievements from planetGOLD Burkina Faso, highlighting successful miner training initiatives and innovative financing mechanisms that support the transition to responsible and mercury-free mining.

He also joined two high-level panel discussions during the Regional Learning and Knowledge Exchange Event on ASGM, organized through the Multistakeholder Partnership Initiative (MSPI). Discussions focused on strengthening LSM–ASM collaboration, responsible gold supply chains, traceability, formalization, and addressing illicit gold flows that continue to undermine sustainable development in mining communities.

Drawing on AGC's field experience, Saidou emphasized the importance of capacity building, access to formal markets, due diligence, and regional cooperation to build a more transparent, inclusive, and responsible ASGM sector.

Beyond the sessions, the event provided valuable opportunities to engage with governments, development partners, industry representatives, and mining organizations to explore future collaboration and support for responsible mining initiatives across the region.

06/05/2026

🌎 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Protecting our environment is a shared responsibility. Across the countries where the Artisanal Gold Council works, we partner with miners, communities, governments, and stakeholders to promote responsible artisanal and small-scale gold mining that safeguards ecosystems while supporting livelihoods.

Through mercury reduction, improved mining practices, environmental restoration, and community engagement, we continue working toward a future where people and nature can thrive together.

This World Environment Day, we celebrate the collective efforts of mining communities and partners who are helping build a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.

06/03/2026

𝐀𝐆𝐂 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐌'𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

📢 Join us at the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM) Conference 2026: "Balancing Interests: ASM's Role in Reliable and Responsible Value Chains" on 9 June in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

As global demand for minerals continues to grow, building mineral value chains that are both reliable and responsible has never been more important.

Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) plays a critical role in meeting this demand while supporting the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. ⚒️

We are pleased to share that Artisanal Gold Council Executive Director Rene Roger Tissot will be participating in the breakout session, "Beyond Traceability: Can Digital Tools Truly Deliver Reliable and Responsible Mineral Value Chains?"

The session will explore how digital innovations—from traceability platforms and blockchain solutions to digital mine-site monitoring tools—are shaping the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supporting more transparent and inclusive value chains.

As EPRM celebrates its 10th anniversary, we look forward to engaging with partners, practitioners, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of responsible ASM and the collaboration needed to ensure mineral value chains work for everyone.

We hope to see you there!

05/27/2026

As we celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Artisanal Gold Council honors the values of compassion, sacrifice, generosity, and community that this occasion represents. 🌙✨

May this celebration bring peace, hope, and blessings to all our partners, colleagues, and mining communities around the world.

Together, we continue working toward safer, cleaner, and more equitable livelihoods for artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities globally.

Eid Mubarak from all of us at AGC!

05/25/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲!

Today, we celebrate Africa Day and recognize the resilience, diversity, and leadership of African communities -- including the millions of artisanal and small-scale miners who contribute to livelihoods and local economies across the continent. 🌍✨

At the Artisanal Gold Council, we are proud to work alongside partners, governments, and mining communities in advancing safer, cleaner, and more equitable ASGM practices through mercury-free technologies, formalization support, and community-centered solutions.

This , we reaffirm our commitment to responsible mining that uplifts people while protecting the environment for future generations.

Address

403 – 15165 Thrift Avenue White Rock
Victoria, BC
V8W1B9

Telephone

+12505909433

Website

http://www.artisanalgold.org/

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