Gold has historically been tied to regions with complex environmental, political, and labor issues. From conflict zones in Africa to unsafe mining practices in Latin America, unethical gold supply chains have sparked global concern.
Buyers increasingly care about sourcing. Regulatory expectations, reputational risk and personal values all play a part. Institutions and individuals alike ask: Where does this gold come from, and how was it mined?
What Makes Gold “Ethically Sourced”?
Ethical gold refers to metal extracted and refined in compliance with strict environmental, labor, and anti-corruption standards. The key elements typically include:
- No association with conflict financing (i.e. not “conflict gold”)
- Fair labor conditions, free from forced or child labor
- Environmental responsibility, including reclamation efforts
- Full traceability, from mine to vault
International frameworks such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and industry standards such as the LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance and the RJC Code of Practices set out these criteria.
Why It Matters to Buyers
Poorly sourced gold raises ethical concerns and can create risks. Institutions, insurers and regulators increasingly apply sourcing checks. Problems in a supply chain may lead to:
- Difficulty reselling metal
- Non-compliance with institutional mandates
- Reputational damage, especially for companies or family offices
- Exposure to future regulation or sanctions
Responsible sourcing is part of managing risk — not a PR exercise.
EONA’s Approach to Responsible Sourcing
EONA’s bars are investment-grade bars from Emirates Minting Factory, an RJC-certified UAE refinery, approved under EONA’s supply-chain due diligence policy.
Our due diligence includes:
- Know-your-supplier checks and review of the refinery’s certifications
- Assessing risks in the refinery’s supply chain, including the origin of inputs
- Ongoing monitoring, overseen by our Money Laundering Reporting Officer
We keep records of our supplier checks and bar documentation. Concerns about our supply chain can be raised through our grievance channel at sourcing@eona.ae.
Pricing
EONA’s prices are the same whatever the source of the bar: they are based on the international spot price plus a premium, with a commission (see our Fees & Spread page).