Bill Overview
Title: United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere, with a focus on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), a form of mining typified by labor-intensive techniques, dangerous working conditions, and limited regulation. The required strategy shall include policies, programs, and initiatives to (1) interrupt the linkages between ASM and illicit actors such as drug traffickers and foreign terrorist organizations; (2) deter ASM in environmentally protected areas; (3) build the capacity of foreign civilian law enforcement to counter linkages between illicit gold mining and money laundering, forced labor, sex work, child labor, and trafficking; and (4) support efforts by foreign governments to increase regulation of the ASM sector. This bill also requires the U.S. Agency for International Development to coordinate with democratically elected governments in the region to establish a public-private partnership to improve transparency and traceability in the international gold trade.
Sponsors: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners and their Communities in the Western Hemisphere
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill targets artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), which is common in developing countries in the Western Hemisphere.
- ASM directly involves a large number of workers often in marginalized communities with limited economic opportunities.
- ASM is linked with illicit activities such as money laundering, forced labor, and environmental degradation, influencing not only miners but also surrounding communities.
- The partnerships and strategies will affect government and enforcement agencies within affected countries.
- Environmental initiatives will impact regions with ASM activities, especially protected areas.
Reasoning
- The primary impact of the policy is intended to be on international communities, specifically those involved in ASM in the Western Hemisphere. However, a few groups within the U.S. may feel indirect impacts due to their involvement in gold trade and policy enforcement.
- Given the budget limitations, the strategy will likely focus resources on critical areas where ASM is linked most strongly to illicit activities and environmental harm, aiming to maximize impact with limited funds.
- To simulate the varied impacts within the U.S., I included people in roles such as gold industry investors, environmental advocates, and policymakers. Each will perceive and be affected by the policy differently based on their interests.
- The impact on individual wellbeing measures will depend largely on their economic interest in gold, ethical views on mining practices, and roles in policy implementation.
Simulated Interviews
Gold Industry Investor (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was initially concerned about new regulations affecting profits.
- The focus on transparency is ultimately good for ensuring ethical sourcing, which aligns with long-term business interests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Environmental Lobbyist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Combating illicit mining in protected areas is a hopeful initiative.
- It would have been ideal to also see efforts reduce environmental harm in domestic mining operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Supply Chain Manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new traceability requirements might cause disruptions.
- Long-term, the policy seems to favor sustainable sourcing which is becoming crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial for U.S. policy to promote international law enforcement collaboration.
- Monitoring impacts on traceability is key to assessing progress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Human Rights Advocate (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't directly support workers' rights enough.
- Still, it's a step toward reducing illegal labor practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Tech Industry Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The supply chain might be affected negatively initially.
- Ethical sourcing is beneficial and aligns with company values.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Jewelry Designer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased regulation could initially hurt my supply options.
- Transparent sourcing improves market trust in the long term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Gold Recycling Plant Operator (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There might be a market shift favoring recycled gold.
- I am optimistic about leveraging this change for business growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Graduate Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful the policy will set a precedent for environmental protections.
- Interested in studying its outcomes for future environmental policy work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelance Journalist (Denver, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Excited to investigate the policy's impact on local communities affected by illegal mining.
- Appreciates the effort to connect policy with practical enforcement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $50000000)
Year 3: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $50000000)
Year 5: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $55000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The policy focuses internationally, but there are potential domestic implications for U.S. firms active in international gold supply chains.
- Coordination with affected countries is crucial for the successful implementation of the strategy, depending on international cooperation and political stability.
- The cost estimates include the uncertainty in foreign regulatory environments and enforcement capabilities.
- Potential risks include backlash from local communities relying on ASM for their livelihoods, which might necessitate additional social support provisions.