Signing of a cooperation agreement to expand responsible gold sourcing from Mongolia to Switzerland.  

Ulaanbaatar / Tannay, 28 September 2026 – Swiss Better Gold (SBG), the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) and Swiss precious metals refinery Argor-Heraeus have signed a three-year cooperation agreement to further develop responsible and traceable gold supply chains from Mongolia to Switzerland. 

The agreement builds on the pilot project launched by the three partners in June 2025 and marks a new phase in their cooperation. It aims to progressively expand the participation of Mongolian gold producers in the Swiss Better Gold Programme, while strengthening traceability, due diligence and responsible environmental, social and governance practices throughout the supply chain. 

For artisanal and small-scale gold producers, meeting international responsible sourcing requirements involves strengthening formalisation, documenting the origin and movement of gold, and continuously improving mining practices. Through the Swiss Better Gold Programme, participating producers receive technical assistance and support to progress towards these requirements, while gaining access to responsible international markets and premium-based incentives that can be reinvested in social and environmental improvements. 

The agreement follows significant progress made since the launch of the pilot. In May 2026, joint SBG–BoM teams visited licensed mining operations in Tuv, Bulgan and Selenge provinces, as well as key actors along the domestic gold supply chain. Five mining operations are already participating in the programme and are progressing towards accreditation, while additional producers have expressed interest in participating. 

The cooperation also builds on Mongolia’s particular gold purchasing structure. The Bank of Mongolia plays a central role in the domestic gold market, while Argor-Heraeus has been refining Mongolian gold in Switzerland for the past decade. Strengthening responsible sourcing and traceability within this existing supply chain creates an opportunity to connect more Mongolian producers with international responsible gold markets. 

“Our experience in Colombia and Peru shows that the Swiss Better Gold model can be adapted to the Mongolian context. This agreement reflects the strong commitment of our Mongolian partners and provides a solid basis for progressively bringing more producers into responsible and traceable supply chains.” 
Diana Culillas, CEO of Swiss Better Gold Association. 

With this three-year agreement, the partners aim to move from a successful pilot towards a scalable, long-term model. By combining local institutional engagement, technical support and access to responsible international markets, the cooperation seeks to generate lasting benefits for mining communities while meeting growing expectations for transparency and responsible sourcing across the global gold sector. 

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