Swiss Better Gold (SBG) will be participating as an observer at the Sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6) in November 2025. 

SBG has made significant efforts to ensure that the gold it sources comes from responsible supply chains, particularly regarding the use of mercury. Two of the 27 criteria required for mining producers to access the SBG market are directly related to this issue: 

1. Prohibition of the worst forms of mercury use (as defined in Annex C of the Minamata Convention) 

2. Proper mercury management

These criteria aim to protect human health and the environment by promoting cleaner technologies and safer extraction processes.

Below is a list of resources that address mercury-related topics:

2025 Report – Swiss Better Gold | Includes a section on SBG’s efforts to reduce and eliminate mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Mercury Management – Technical Factsheet | Outlines specific mercury management criteria, regional context, and alignment with the Minamata Convention.

Hazards and Effects of Mercury Use – Informative Leaflet | Explains health and environmental risks and promotes best practices such as closed-circuit systems.

Clean Technologies Manual for the Gold Sector | Provides technical information on alternatives to mercury use in gold recovery.

Environmental Impact Report – South Pole (2022) | Mentions SBGI’s support for practices that replace mercury use, in line with the Minamata Convention.

The journey of Nueva Teresita A Peruvian Mine exporting responsibly produced gold | Nueva Teresita used approximately 56 kg of mercury yearly to produce their doré bars. With the help of SBG, Nueva Teresita completely changed their production process, implementing 100% mercury-free technology (see pages 19 to 23).

Mercury in Small-scale Gold Mining in Bolivia | Presents technical and policy alternatives to reduce mercury use, aligned with the Minamata Convention.