Public-private partnership to build responsible gold value chains

(a) Best practices The Secretary of State (referred to in this section as the Secretary), in coordination with the Governments of Colombia, of Ecuador, and of Peru, and with other democratically-elected governments in the region, shall consult with the Government of Switzerland regarding best practices developed through the Swiss Better Gold Initiative (a public-private partnership that aims to improve transparency and traceability in the international gold trade). (b) 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 advance the best practices identified pursuant to subsection (a), including supporting 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. (c) Meeting The Secretary or the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, without delegation and in coordination with the governments of participating countries, should— (1) host a meeting with senior representatives of the private sector and international governmental and nongovernmental partners; and (2) make commitments to improve due diligence and increase the responsible sourcing of gold.