The Untold Story of Gold’s Journey

Gold. It’s in your wedding ring, your smartwatch, your investments. A symbol of power, wealth, and beauty.

But it doesn't start at Cartier or Tiffany & Co. or Apple - it often starts here.

We’ve walked the dirt paths leading to artisanal gold mines across Africa, stepping into a world that exists far beyond the glimmer of finished jewelry or the prestige of bullion bars. 

We've met the people whose daily grind fuels a multi-billion-dollar industry — miners working tirelessly, unaware that they were operating in a legal gray area, believing that paying rent to a license holder granted them legitimacy. 

The reality? They were caught in a system designed to keep them in the shadows.

The Hidden Truth: When “Legal” Isn’t Legal

We went to the heart of artisanal gold mining in Zambia, where miners go about their daily work with pickaxes and sluice boxes. And, in most cases, believing they are operating within the law. 

They pay rent to a small-scale license holder, assuming this means they are covered. But in reality, most of these operations are unregistered, falling into the category of "illegal mining"— not by criminal intent, but by a lack of awareness and formal structure.

This is a reality for NOT thousand… BUT MILLIONS of miners across Africa, where informal agreements create an illusion of legality, but the supply chains remain murky. 

The consequence? These miners operate outside of the protections of the law, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, dangerous working conditions, and the reach of illicit gold trade networks.

The Scale of the Problem

Consider these numbers:

• The artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector #ASGM produces about 20% of the world’s gold—yet over 90% of it remains unregulated in many parts of the world.

• It is estimated that millions of miners are involved in ASM, supporting over 100 million people globally through downstream informal economies.

• Illegal gold trade finances everything from conflict zones to money laundering networks, making traceability and ethical sourcing critical for responsible consumers and investors.

• Mercury, a toxic substance used to extract gold, contaminates waterways, poisoning thousands of communities and creating generational health risks.

Yet, despite these challenges, artisanal mining provides essential livelihoods for millions —and when done right, it can be a force for sustainable development and ethical wealth creation. This has been the mission of Makor Resources.

A Formally, Informal Economy: Who Really Profits?

Mining doesn’t just extract gold — it fuels entire underground economies. 

Walking through these communities, we saw a full ecosystem built around the trade: food stalls feeding miners, equipment rentals, traders moving gold through unregulated channels. 

But the miners? They earn the least. 

Middlemen skim profits, smuggling networks thrive, and untracked gold flows into international markets, ultimately ending up in luxury stores and financial reserves worldwide.

This isn’t just a mining issue — it’s a consumer issue.

Every piece of gold in circulation tells a story. The question is: What kind of story do we want it to tell? And, do we even really care?

Breaking the Cycle: The Gold and Mercury Recovery Program

This is where change begins. Makor Resources launched a Gold and Mercury Recovery Program to:

Formalize ASM operations, ensuring miners work legally, safely, and within a framework that protects both their rights and the environment.

Introduce clean, mercury-free processing technologies, removing toxic chemicals from gold extraction and preventing irreversible environmental damage.

Create ethical, traceable gold supply chains, leveraging technology to track gold from mine to market, ensuring it doesn’t end up in illicit trade networks.

Work hand-in-hand with the Zambian government, aligning with policies that promote responsible ASM and economic empowerment.

An Attribute to Adequate Legislation in ASM Reform 

The Zambian government has taken commendable steps in shaping a responsible artisanal and small-scale mining framework, recognizing that the key to solving illegal mining isn’t criminalization — but integration. 

By providing pathways to formalization, investment in responsible processing facilities, and clear legislation, Zambia is positioning itself as a leader in ethical, investment-ready mining.

What This Means for Consumers and Investors

Like I said, gold doesn’t start with our beloved brand. It starts in the hands of miners, in places few ever see.

This isn’t just about mining — it’s about wealth, sustainability, and accountability. It’s about ensuring that when gold moves from Mine to Main Street, it does so with integrity. 

And, it’s a reflection of the choices we make.

By choosing responsibly sourced gold, asking the right questions, and supporting ethical supply chains, we can ensure that this industry uplifts rather than exploits.

Your gold tells a story. The question remains — 

Do you even care?