Policies & Issues

Lashbrook Signs on As Mercury-Free Mining Premier Sponsor

Policies & IssuesNov 11, 2020

Lashbrook Signs on As Mercury-Free Mining Premier Sponsor

And more on where the initiative is at in its mission to eradicate the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

20201111_MFM-header.jpg
Artisanal gold miners at work in Ivory Coast (Photo credit: Reuters, licensed to Mercury-Free Mining). The Mercury-Free Mining initiative has new support in 2020-2021 Premier Sponsor Lashbrook.
Corvallis, Ore.—Custom wedding ring manufacturer Lashbrook has become the 2020-2021 Premier Sponsor of the Mercury Free Mining (MFM) initiative.

The company’s $50,000 contribution will help the program in its efforts to find effective technologies for the safe, mercury-free mining of gold, connect small-scale and artisanal miners with these processes so they can protect themselves, and ensure the miners are more profitable as well.

“We greatly appreciate and commend Lashbrook’s leadership and commitment to the eradication of mercury from the global gold supply chain,” said Toby Pomeroy, MFM founder and executive director. “Industry support like that of Lashbrook is critical to advancing our mission and will help in immeasurable ways.”

Launched by Pomeroy in 2017, the initial goal of MFM (originally called the Mercury-Free Mining Challenge) was to get the jewelry industry to put up a $1 million prize for the creation of a safe, scalable and effective alternative to the use of mercury in mining by artisanal gold miners.

Artisanal miners produce 20 percent of the world’s annual gold supply, and almost all of them use the element to separate the gold they find from other materials.

They burn off the mercury by heating it, sending 12,000 pounds of toxic particles into the air that are harmful to people and the environment.

In January, founder Pomeroy traveled to Ghana to test a separation process called Goldrop that could fulfill his organization’s ultimate goal by using the elutriation process to separate gold, including all heavy elements and minerals, from mineral concentrate and tailings.

Elutriation is a process of precipitating out particles by means of an upward current of fluid, often water or air.

Pomeroy told National Jeweler in an email update Tuesday that following a promising report from the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM), MFM was considering raising funds to help bring Festus Adomako Kusi and Peter Osei, GNASSM mining engineers they had worked with in Ghana, and Ishmael Quaicoe from the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa, Ghana to the U.S. to continue testing and refining the Goldrop process. 

But in March, COVID-19 travel restrictions ended those plans, as it did so many others. Shortly after Pomeroy also learned of the unexpected death of GNASSM’s Kusi. 

Pomeroy said MFM hopes the engineers will continue exploring Goldrop’s potential in Ghana. 

Meanwhile, the MFM and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) continue to explore ways to connect innovative “green” mining  technologies with interested mining communities.  
In an initiative between the two and Coodmilla Ltda.—a Fairmined certified gold mining cooperative in La Llanada, Colombia that has never used mercury in its mining—gold ore concentrates from Coodmilla were sent to the MFM office in Oregon for analysis and comparative processing by two gravimetric separation methods. 

The two processors, Goldrop and Gold Strike Micron Gold, processes the Colombian ore samples to demonstrate their efficiencies in recovering gold from its mineral concentrates. 

Pomeroy said he recorded a video of them applying their processes to the ore and will submit a report about the procedures and efficiencies to ARM, which will pass it on to Coodmilla. 

If either or both technologies seem easy enough to use and allow the miners to mine more profitably, Coodmilla may elect to integrate one or both into its mining methods. 

If they do choose to use one or both and find that production is significantly improved, “this will be earthshaking news,” Pomeroy told National Jeweler. 

“The Coodmilla Cooperative’s current methods would be considered state-of-the-art by many ASGM processors around the world, and if an improved method of ore processing is available that allows them to mine more efficiently and profitably, the world will want to know about it.”

If all goes as they hope, MFM and ARM then would help set up on-the-ground testing programs in mining communities, and after that, pilot programs if they’d like to keep using them.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Ashley Zhang Jewelry 2025 Lunar New Year Snake Necklace
CollectionsJan 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s Lunar New Year Necklace

The one-of-a-kind necklace was designed in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake.

Graphic for “Predictions for the Year Ahead” webinar
Recorded WebinarsJan 24, 2025
Watch: Fine Jewelry Market Predictions for 2025

“My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.

Ethical Gem Fair Tucson Anza Gems
SourcingJan 24, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Tucson

The gemstone show is slated to take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

Resolutions - 2025.jpg
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers

The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.

Mugshots of Zacary Briggs, Aaron Hammond, Tre’von Anthony Neal, and Evan Puckett
CrimeJan 23, 2025
4 Men Arrested After Allegedly Plotting to Kidnap Jeweler

The suspects are accused of planning to kidnap a Miami jeweler and rob him of his cryptocurrency.

Weekly QuizJan 23, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Loose diamonds from Namdia
CrimeJan 23, 2025
Security Guard Killed in Armed Robbery at Namibian Diamond Co.

Francis “Gosh” Eiseb, 58, was a senior protection officer for Namib Desert Diamonds, also known as Namdia, in Windhoek, Namibia.

Gemstone Trading Network by RapNet and AGTA
SourcingJan 23, 2025
RapNet, AGTA Partner to Launch Gemstone Trading Network

The online diamond and jewelry marketplace has expanded, introducing a new platform dedicated to colored gemstone trading.

ride_or_die_1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday Campaign

A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’

Symposium 2025 Speakers
Events & AwardsJan 23, 2025
Plumb Club Announces Speaker Lineup for Symposium ‘25

The second annual learning forum for retailers is slated for March 13 at City Winery in Pier 57 in New York City.

Fancy Color Research Foundation
SourcingJan 23, 2025
Fancy Color Research Foundation Names New CEO

Roy Safit took over the role on Jan. 1.

National Jeweler columnist Sherry Smith
ColumnistsJan 22, 2025
On Data: How Did Independent Jewelers Fare in 2024?

Sherry Smith shares data on the year gone by, including the breakdown between natural and lab-grown diamond sales.

Jewelers of America 20 Under 40 graphic
Events & AwardsJan 22, 2025
JA Seeking Nominations for Its Next ‘20 Under 40’ Class

Now in its fourth year, the program is expanding to include a list of “20 Under 40” for jewelry suppliers.

Holiday wrapped gift boxes
SurveysJan 22, 2025
Holiday Sales Hit Record High, Says NRF

Core retail sales during the 2024 holiday season surpassed the National Retail Federation’s forecast.

Foundrae Reach for Life collection campaign
CollectionsJan 22, 2025
Foundrae’s New Collection Channels the Power of Now

The “Reach for Life” collection uses feather and arrow motifs to invite growth and inner curiosity.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsJan 21, 2025
Peter Smith: Sales Training’s Dirty Little Secret

Peter Smith pulls back the curtain on the often misinterpreted, and sometimes maligned, world of sales training.

Lord Jewelry brown and white diamond ring
TrendsJan 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Decadent Mocha Mousse

Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year takes the form of jewelry through gemstones and enamel that look just as delicious as mocha mousse.

Diamonds Do Good
SourcingJan 21, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Adds 2 Board Members

Julia Hackman Chafé and Monica Elias have joined the organization’s board of directors.

Bucellati necklaces
FinancialsJan 17, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Rise 14% in Holiday Quarter

The company, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, had a record Q3, with sales topping $6 billion.

Picchiotti Classic Blue and Green Necklace
CollectionsJan 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Picchiotti’s Transformable ‘Classic Blue and Green’ Necklace

The necklace features a sapphire drop weighing more than 9 carats that detaches to transform into a ring.

Jameel Mohammed
MajorsJan 17, 2025
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Name First Winner of Jewelry Designer Award

Jameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist brand Khiry, will receive a cash prize and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.

Gold jewelry boxes with Lux Bond & Green logo
IndependentsJan 16, 2025
Lux Bond & Green to Open Sixth Location

The 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.

Timex National Park Collection
WatchesJan 16, 2025
Timex Launches Collection of National Park Watches

The watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.

Elizabeth Taylor diamond line bracelet
AuctionsJan 16, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Line Bracelet Going up for Auction

Offered by U.K. auction house Woolley & Wallis, the yellow diamond bracelet was a gift from Taylor’s good friend Michael Jackson.

JCK open registration graphic
Events & AwardsJan 16, 2025
JCK Las Vegas 2025 Open for Registration

The jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.

Iris Apfel
EditorsJan 15, 2025
The Jewelry I’d Bid On in Christie’s Iris Apfel Auction

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.

Macy’s Herald Square New York City store
MajorsJan 15, 2025
Macy’s to Close 66 Stores as Part of Turnaround Strategy

The closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.

Jewelers Vigilance Committee Americans with Disabilities Act guide cover
Policies & IssuesJan 15, 2025
JVC Debuts Guide to Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The online guide is available for free and written with the jewelry industry in mind.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy