Uncategorized
« Previous Entries Next Entries »Fair Trade Gold Takes a Leap Forward
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010A hugely important milestone has been reached in the effort to create a supply of fair trade certified gold. Thanks to a promising new initiative announced recently, thousands of artisanal gold miners in developing countries will soon be able to sell their gold under a new, fair trade labeling system, a partnership between the [...]
Most Eco-Friendly Gold Mining Company Still Spills Cyanide
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010Gold mining companies have a terrible track record when it comes to the environment. But among the major industry players, Newmont Mining Co. has refused to be typecast. In 2007, the Denver-based company became the first gold mining company to be listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, a financial index of companies with an [...]
Thinking About Avatar
Thursday, January 7th, 2010If the plot of the box office hit Avatar seems familiar, that’s because it is. Film critics have drawn a host of comparisons between Avatar and other movies. Like Dances with Wolves, Avatar is the story of an American soldier who, after learning the ways of a native culture, decides to defend that culture rather [...]
In Wake of Kimberley Process Decision, Zimbabwe Military Leaders Poised to Reap Millions
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009When the Kimberley Process (KP) in early November chose not to suspend Zimbabwe for human rights abuses in the country’s diamond fields, the KP defended its decision on the grounds that the Zimbabwean government could be coaxed into cleaning up its act. Regrettably, the picture that is emerging is one of continued exploitation of the [...]
Water near Honduran Gold Mine has Acidity of Vinegar
Monday, December 28th, 2009A new report has found evidence that a gold mine in Central America, now in the process of being closed, may leave a bitter legacy. The San Martin mine, in the Siria Valley of Honduras, is operated by Goldcorp, one of the world’s largest gold mining companies. Since the mine opened in 2000, community groups [...]
60 Minutes Report: Gold Mining Fuels Deadly Conflict in Congo
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009Media attention to the problem of “conflict diamonds” has raised public awareness about the negative social and environmental consequences associated with diamond mining. Less media attention has been given to gold mining and how, as with diamonds, the lust for mineral wealth can lead to some of the same disturbing consequences. Brilliant Earth therefore [...]
Top Ten Ethical Origin Holiday Gifts
Saturday, December 12th, 2009‘Tis the season of mindful giving! Brilliant Earth’s collection of ethical jewelry offers a dazzling array of eco-friendly and elegant gifts for the holiday season. Celebrate her inner style and the Earth’s natural beauty with these unique designs. Check out our top picks for Holiday 2009.
1. Create Your Own Diamond Jewelry
Diamonds are sure to be [...]
World Diamond Council Supports Kimberley Process in Controversial Decision
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009The Kimberley Process (KP) recently announced that, despite numerous reports of serious human rights violations by the Zimbabwean military in the country’s mining fields, Zimbabwe would not lose its KP membership. The KP’s alarming decision is now receiving support from the World Diamond Council (WDC), a global organization of diamond manufacturing and diamond trading companies [...]
UN Security Council Extends Ban on Diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire
Thursday, November 12th, 2009Measures by the United Nations to prevent the export of diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire will continue into the foreseeable future. Last week the United Nations Security Council voted to extend sanctions on the West African nation for another year. Those sanctions ban other states from importing diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire while also imposing an arms [...]
Kimberly Process Chooses Not to Suspend Zimbabwe
Monday, November 9th, 2009Once again demonstrating its inadequacy at ensuring the ethical mining of diamonds, the Kimberley Process (KP) has opted to let Zimbabwe off the hook for grave human rights abuses taking place in the country’s mining fields. Those abuses are not the work of a private mining company but are being instigated by Zimbabwe’s own government. [...]
« Previous Entries Next Entries »