Marsam Refinadora, after undergoing a lightning investigation, may be associated with illegal gold mining in the Amazon

According to information from the Repórter Brasil website, Marsam refiner, responsible for processing illegal gold from companies investigated for buying metal illegally extracted from Brazilian indigenous lands, was disqualified from the RMI (Responsible Minerals Initiative) and is no longer considered reliable to sell gold to about 300 companies on the US stock exchange.

The withdrawal of Marsam refining from the list of accredited suppliers by RMI takes place less than three months after an unprecedented investigation by Brazil Reporter to show which illegal gold from indigenous lands reach the four most valuable brands in the world: Apple, Google, Microsoft and Amazon.

They and other multinationals use the RMI list to choose their metal suppliers. During the investigation, Apple had announced that it would stop buying from Marsam refinery, after the questions sent by the report.

THE USE OF ILLEGAL GOLD

Quality seal removal

The Brazilian refiner was discreetly removed from the list of accredited suppliers, according to what the AP in the morningWednesday, the 5th. RMI confirmed the disqualification, but did not detail the reasons.

“While we cannot provide details of specific assessments and findings due to confidentiality agreements, individual auditees are welcome to share their own audit results.” After being sought to provide clarification, Marsam refining did not respond to the questions sent by the report.

Also, Google said via press office that it would not comment on the matter. Microsoft and Amazon declined to comment. 

Obligation to present gold suppliers

Os United States approved, in 2010, a law required all companies listed on the Stock Exchange to present an annual report on their suppliers of gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum.

The objective is to avoid buying illegal gold from companies that fuel conflicts, as occurred in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mineral exploration still finances armed groups.

As a result of this law, the RMI was created, which aims to ensure greater transparency for the mining sector, “seek sustainable corporate engagement” and carry out audits to combat human rights violations, money laundering and the purchase of illegal gold, from according to the organization's website.