Brazil Takes Initiative to Build a Better Gold Supply Chain
7 November, 2025
In September, the Brazilian Forum for Responsible Gold was launched under the leadership of the National Mining Agency. The event was held at the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Brasília and jointly hosted by the Brazilian National Mining Agency together with the World Gold Council and Intergovernmental Forum on Mining. The event marked the country’s commitment to leading the charge in formalizing artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), enhancing traceability, and combating illegal mining and illicit financial flows.
The Forum’s agenda was both ambitious and urgent. Discussions focused on strengthening regulatory oversight, implementing digital traceability technologies, eliminating mercury use in gold processing, and dismantling criminal networks that exploit the informal mining sector. The human and environmental toll of illegal mining was laid bare—particularly its impact on indigenous communities such as the Yanomami and Munduruku peoples, and being a major reason for deforestation together with causing devastating mercury pollution affecting the Amazon’s ecosystems and vulnerable populations. Brazil’s unique position within the Amazon Basin, which spans nine countries with porous borders, underscores the complexity of monitoring gold flows and the need for regional cooperation. In particular, in Brazil, wildcat mining on Indigenous reservations increased by an estimated 1,217% from 1985 to 2020.
Participants in the Forum included representatives from the World Gold Council, Ministry of Mines and Energy, the National Mining Agency (NMA), the Environment Agency, the Central Bank, the Federal Police, the National Mint, IBRAM (the mining industry’s leadership body which campaigns against illegal mining), civil society organizations, and the voice of small-scale miners. The Foreign Ministry’s efforts to update the Palermo Convention on Organized Crime were also highlighted, aiming to make it more effective in addressing environmental and natural-resource-based crimes. The elimination of the assumption of “good faith” in gold trading and the push for traceability back to source concessions were recognized as major steps forward in sector reform.
The Brazilian Federal Police are world leaders in the development of gold traceability technologies and have pioneered the development of a national database which catalogues gold samples from different regions in the country. This has allowed the authorities to bring prosecutions against individuals suspected of being involved in illegal mining and transporting stolen gold. The Federal Police are now looking to expand the database to include samples from neighboring countries to help tackle cross-border crime involving gold.
As Brazil positions itself at the forefront of responsible gold sourcing, the World Gold Council is committed to supporting this transformative journey. The WGC looks forward to working with Brazil to support its programmes. We call on governments, industry leaders, NGOs, and financial institutions worldwide to join this movement. Together, we can ensure that gold becomes a driver of sustainable development, economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
Disclaimer
Important information and disclaimers
© 2025 World Gold Council. All rights reserved. World Gold Council and the Circle device are trademarks of the World Gold Council or its affiliates.
All references to LBMA Gold Price are used with the permission of ICE Benchmark Administration Limited and have been provided for informational purposes only. ICE Benchmark Administration Limited accepts no liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the prices or the underlying product to which the prices may be referenced. Other content is the intellectual property of the respective third party and all rights are reserved to them.
Reproduction or redistribution of any of this information is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of World Gold Council or the appropriate copyright owners, except as specifically provided below. Information and statistics are copyright © and/or other intellectual property of the World Gold Council or its affiliates or third-party providers identified herein. All rights of the respective owners are reserved.
The use of the statistics in this information is permitted for the purposes of review and commentary (including media commentary) in line with fair industry practice, subject to the following two pre-conditions: (i) only limited extracts of data or analysis be used; and (ii) any and all use of these statistics is accompanied by a citation to World Gold Council and, where appropriate, to Metals Focus or other identified copyright owners as their source. World Gold Council is affiliated with Metals Focus.
The World Gold Council and its affiliates do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information nor accept responsibility for any losses or damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of this information.
This information is for educational purposes only and by receiving this information, you agree with its intended purpose. Nothing contained herein is intended to constitute a recommendation, investment advice, or offer for the purchase or sale of gold, any gold-related products or services or any other products, services, securities or financial instruments (collectively, “Services”). This information does not take into account any investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person.
Diversification does not guarantee any investment returns and does not eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The resulting performance of any investment outcomes that can be generated through allocation to gold are hypothetical in nature, may not reflect actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results. The World Gold Council and its affiliates do not guarantee or warranty any calculations and models used in any hypothetical portfolios or any outcomes resulting from any such use. Investors should discuss their individual circumstances with their appropriate investment professionals before making any decision regarding any Services or investments.
This information may contain forward-looking statements, such as statements which use the words “believes”, “expects”, “may”, or “suggests”, or similar terminology, which are based on current expectations and are subject to change. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will be achieved. World Gold Council and its affiliates assume no responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements.
Information regarding QaurumSM and the Gold Valuation Framework
Note that the resulting performance of various investment outcomes that can be generated through use of Qaurum, the Gold Valuation Framework and other information are hypothetical in nature, may not reflect actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results. Neither World Gold Council (including its affiliates) nor Oxford Economics provides any warranty or guarantee regarding the functionality of the tool, including without limitation any projections, estimates or calculations.
