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Raw material

Our commitment and experience for greater responsibility

SWISSAID is committed to a more responsible raw materials sector. This includes both the countries of the South, whose soils are rich in precious metals, and the countries of the North, the main exporters of raw materials.

Our commitment to the South

With extensive experience in the extractive sector in Chad, Niger, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau, SWISSAID has developed numerous projects to improve living conditions for local populations. Through its projects, civil society puts pressure on the authorities to ensure that the use of revenues from raw materials is subject to legal regulations, and guarantee that part of these revenues is actually used to improve the living conditions of the population. Civil organizations are also lobbying governments to draw up binding social and ecological standards for national and international companies. Finally, in Tanzania, a project is attempting to develop minimum standards to improve working conditions, both for miners and for people working around extraction sites.

Our projects in the South

Black gold can benefit the greatest number of people

Although Chad is rich in oil, its population remains one of the poorest in the world. SWISSAID is supporting several civil society organisations in this Central African country in their efforts to improve the distribution of income in this sector and in their advocacy work on behalf of young people and women.

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The two sides of gold

On the one hand, over 100 million people worldwide make a living from gold mining. On the other hand, working in gold mines poses a massive threat to the health and safety of workers. In Tanzania, many artisanal mines secure the livelihoods of the population. With the help of its partners, SWISSAID supports people in improving conditions in the gold mines and market access. For example in the Geita region in the north of the country.

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Our work in Switzerland

In Switzerland, experience gained in developing countries is used to encourage greater transparency in the financial flows of raw materials companies, particularly trading companies.

In addition to improving transparency, SWISSAID also advocates corporate responsibility, and is committed to the socially and ecologically sustainable exploitation of raw materials. Examples from SWISSAID’s partner countries provide an important basis for political work.

Within various networks such as the Coalition for Responsible Multinationals or the Swiss Better Gold Association, SWISSAID strives to maintain pressure on private and public bodies with an impact on the sector.

Downloads

EITI's article: Ghana’s gold rally? Why transparency and traceability will shape long-term success Open letter: Strengthening Transparency within Responsible Jewellery Council Certification Schemes (EN, pdf, 2026) Open letter for more Transparency within Responsible Minerals Initiative Due Diligence Frameworks (EN, pdf, 2026) Position paper on Civil Society Policy Recommendations On Illicit Gold (EN, pdf, 2026) Statement on LBMA's Amended Disclosure Guidance (EN, pdf, 2025) Open letter for a better definition of recycled gold (EN, 2024) SWISSAID position paper to the consultation on the implementing ordinance ODiTr (FR) Joint letter to denounce LBMA's shortcomings (EN, 2021)

Publications

SWISSAID has published numerous studies on the subject in its efforts to improve the commodities sector, particularly gold. In this way, SWISSAID stands out for its professionalism and niche knowledge.

Following the publication of the study “On the trail of African gold” (2024), the authors are preparing detailed analyses of the production, imports and exports of gold in all 54 African countries. These will be published online step by step. Read here.

 

Publications to download

Illicit Gold Flows and Tax Evasion in Eight ATI Partner Countries (2025, PDF) On the trail of african gold (2024, PDF) Out of the Shadows. Business relations between industrial gold mines in Africa and refineries (2023, PDF) Golden Detour, the hidden face of the gold trade (2020, PDF) Questions and answers on transparency (PDF) Swiss traders, African oil and the risks of opacity (2014, PDF)

Media work

As an expert in the field of raw materials, both in Switzerland and in its partner countries, SWISSAID is regularly contacted by the media. Part of its advocacy work involves raising public awareness of the gold issue through various media such as newspapers, radio, television and podcasts.

In the media

Hidden wealth: Swiss NGO maps Africa’s undeclared gold flows

Swissinfo, 30.05.2024 | Africa is experiencing a gold rush. Yet, the glittering wealth produced by artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) largely remains in the shadows. A whopping 321 to 474 tonnes of gold, worth between $23.7 billion (CHF21.6 billion) and $35 billion at current gold prices, are not declared each year, according to estimates presented in a ground-breaking report by the NGO Swissaid.

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Swiss Federal Court snubs request for gold sector transparency

swissinfo.ch, 15.11.23 | Switzerland’s Federal Court has turned down a Swiss NGO’s request for detailed data on the origin of gold imported into Switzerland.

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SLAPP – A growing threat for NGOs and media representatives

International corporations and oligarchs are bringing action against NGOs and media representatives at increasing rates, with the aim of stopping critical research. SWISSAID has been directly affected after publishing a report on the gold trade in Africa. The lawsuit is eating up time and money, but self-censorship is not an option.

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Contact

Marc Ummel

Head of Unit Raw Materials

Yvan Schulz

Senior Consultant Raw Materials

More on the subject

Gold study 2024

According to a new study, between 321 and 474 tons of artisanal gold are produced annually in Africa without being declared, and at least 435 tons of gold were smuggled from the African continent in 2022 alone. These are significant figures that represent a significant loss of revenue for many African states. This lack of state control reflects other problems: corruption, financing of armed conflicts or human rights violations.

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Interview

The gold trade affects hundreds of millions of people. From mining to importing, processing and selling, this precious metal is omnipresent in our societies. Marc Ummel is a gold expert at SWISSAID. He shares his doubts about the ethics of this field and the improvements that still need to be made.

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