POTENTIAL COOPERATION DISCUSSED WITH THE SWISS BETTER GOLD ASSOCIATION (SBGA)

On June 4, Ambassador D. Gerelmaa held an online meeting with Ms. Diana Cullilas, Secretary General of the Swiss Better Gold Association (SBGA), to discuss the potential project of Swiss Better Gold Initiative for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining to be implemented in Mongolia.

This project will be the continuation of the successful Sustainable Artisanal Mining Project, which was supported by the Swiss Development Agency sicne 2005, aims to promote environmentally responsible gold mining practices in Mongolia while ensuring compliance with Swiss gold standards.

The parties discussed over the key areas of research and cooperation necessary to support the supply chain of ethically sourced gold from Mongolia to Switzerland via SBGA and its member organizations. This initiative is particularly significant for the luxury jewelry industry, which relies on sustainable and transparent sourcing methods.

To further advance the project study, Secretary General Diana Cullilas is scheduled to visit Mongolia from June 11 to 13.

Mongolia has already taken steps to establish a more formal and transparent gold supply chain. Between 2018 and 2019, the Bank of Mongolia, the Agency of Standards and Metrology, and the Swiss Development Agency’s " Sustainable Artisanal Mining Project" collaborated to create "One-Stop Service Centers" in Bayankhongor, Bulgan, and Darkhan-Uul aimags. These centers facilitate gold assaying, purchasing, and certification, ensuring decentralized trade and regulatory oversight.