Page 10 - Bullion world volume 4 issue 6 june 2024

Bullion World | Volume 4 | Issue 6 | June 2024

“Who Cares Wins”,

ESG Twenty Years After

Mr Simone Knobloch, COO, Valcambi sa

societies will exist only if all the different stakeholders
contribute towards a better world. While the UN Global
Compact laid out the various principles, it is up to each
organisation to translate these into real actions. Now,
at this twenty-year anniversary, it is the right moment to
look back and see how Valcambi has implemented the
principles. The key words for us have been to listen, and
especially, to “care”.

We took care of the need to make available to the
market, starting from the financial sector, a product that
was traceable and sustainable. It took time to convert
the principles into processes and to set up the necessary
technologies. However, in 2008 we released the
“Valcambi Green Gold” ® – fine gold that was traceable
to its origin and sourced from mines adopting the highest
standards available at that time, in terms of working
conditions and environmental management. Traceability
and precious metals origin has always been one of the
cornerstones of Valcambi’s business principles. Over
the years, we have introduced new technologies and
tools to provide answers to those clients who want to
know where the gold comes from and how it has been
Mr Simone Knobloch processed.

We especially address the Social and Environmental
aspects with direct sourcing from artisanal and small-
scale mines (ASM). Direct ASM sourcing contributes to
the miners and the cooperatives, and it also has a strong
impact on the communities surrounding the mines.
Our direct relationship with miners allows stronger
collaboration and enables us to support decent working
In 2004, the UN Global Compact released the report conditions and environmental protection.
“Who Cares Wins”, which probably for the first time, set
the foundations for international organisations to address Nowadays, the origin of mined material is a mature
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) topics as process with well-renowned products. We offer not only
an essential part of their strategy in a changing world.
the “Valcambi Green Gold” ®, but also segregated
and traceable gold from ASMs, both certified and not
Now in 2024 – twenty years later – we must ask, is this certified. By doing so, we take care more directly not
report, together with the 2004 “Recommendations by the only of the downstream market needs and expectations,
financial industry to better integrate environmental, social we also take care of the upstream value chain,
and governance issues in analysis, asset management providing the mining cooperatives and the surrounding
and securities brokerage”, still valid?
communities with better market conditions, financing,
and direct access to the market.
No doubt that in twenty years many changes occurred,
but the key principle remains: more sustainable

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