Mining is resource-intensive — and silver is no exception. Silver extraction can involve land disruption, high water use and toxic by-products such as cyanide and heavy metals.
As demand for silver grows in both investment and industry, so does the expectation of more sustainable practices.
Sustainable Mining and Refining Practices
Environmental Protocols at Mines
Responsible producers take measures to reduce environmental harm, such as:
- Closed-loop water systems to minimize freshwater consumption
- Tailings management to prevent toxic runoff
- Revegetation and land rehabilitation post-mining
Internationally recognized standards like the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and LBMA Responsible Silver Guidance set expectations for how silver is sourced and refined, including due diligence on environmental and human-rights risks.
Energy Use and Emissions
Smelting and refining use a lot of energy. Some refineries are introducing:
- Renewable energy sources, such as solar or hydroelectric
- Efficient electric arc furnaces
- Lower-emission transport logistics for global distribution
The aim is to reduce the emissions tied to extraction and processing.
Recycled Silver: A Growing Force
Recycling provides a meaningful share of annual silver supply globally.
By refining silver from discarded electronics, industrial scrap and jewellery, recyclers:
- Reduce the need for new mining
- Consume significantly less energy
- Reduce landfill waste and toxic leachate
High-purity recycled silver can meet the same 999 fineness as newly mined material.
EONA’s Approach
EONA applies a supply-chain due diligence policy to the bars it buys.
- Bars come from Emirates Minting Factory, an RJC-certified UAE refinery, approved under EONA’s supply-chain due diligence policy.
- Supplier checks include review of the refinery’s certifications and responsible-sourcing audits.
- Storage with Loomis in Dubai, an independent vault operator.
- Concerns can be raised through our grievance channel at sourcing@eona.ae.
Responsible sourcing is an ongoing process, and we review our suppliers regularly.