Public-private partnership to build responsible gold value chains

(a) In general The Secretary shall coordinate with the Governments of Colombia, of Ecuador, of Peru, and of other democratically elected governments in the region determined by the Secretary to establish a public-private partnership to support programming in participating countries that will— (1) support the ASM gold mining sector's formalization and compliance with the existing environmental and labor standards in participating countries; (2) increase awareness of access to financing for ASM gold miners who are taking significant steps to formalize their operations and comply with the existing labor and environmental standards in participating countries; (3) enhance the traceability and support the establishment of a certification process for ASM gold; (4) support a public relations campaign to promote responsibly sourced gold; (5) include representatives of local civil society to work towards soliciting the free and informed consent of those living on lands with mining potential; (6) facilitate contact between vendors of responsibly sourced gold and United States companies; and (7) promote policies and practices in participating countries that are conducive to the formalization of ASM gold mining and promoting adherence of ASM to internationally recognized best practices and standards.