Gold and mining
Gold from a chain that holds up
Afu-Mena International NV supplies gold mined in an environmentally responsible way by local miners. We buy their gold, purify and process it, and bring it to the local market or to export.
Our position
Carried out by Afu-Mena International NV
Since July 2022 the gold branch of Afu-Mena Group sits with Afu-Mena International NV in Suriname. The entity works with NGOs founded by the miners themselves.
We buy the gold from those miners, purify and process it, and then bring it to the local market or to export, together with local and international partners.
Responsible extraction is a condition for us, not an afterthought.
The chain
From miner to market
The chain is short and traceable. Every step is carried out with parties we know.
01Local miners
Role in the chain: Miners
The gold is mined by local miners, organised in NGOs they founded themselves.
02Purchase
Role in the chain: Traders
Afu-Mena International NV buys the gold directly from those miners and their organisations.
03Purification and processing
Role in the chain: Traders
The purchased gold is purified and processed.
04Local market or export
Role in the chain: Buyers
Sale on the local market or export, together with local and international partners.
Role in the chain
Miners
Local miners who extract the gold.
Traders
Purchase, purification and processing.
Buyers
Sales on the local market and export towards Europe.
Where it happens
Around Paramaribo, Afobakka, Marowijne and Brownsweg
The gold activities take place around Paramaribo, Afobakka, Marowijne and Brownsweg, with sales towards Europe.
Operating area
- Paramaribo
- Afobakka
- Marowijne
- Brownsweg
Market
Europe
Mercury-free mining
Mercury-free mining, and transferring the method
Afu-Mena International NV actively promotes mercury-free mining. The method is not only applied in-house: we transfer it to the miners we work with.
Mercury-free extraction and processing protects the environment and the living environment of the communities in the mining area. That makes it the core of the activity, not an annex to it.
Apply
Extraction and processing happen without mercury.
Transfer
The method is transferred to the miners we work with.
Protect
The environment and the living environment of surrounding communities are spared.
CSR
Three pillars under our CSR approach
Environment
Mercury-free mining and processing protects the environment and the living environment.
Social
Good employment conditions, fair contracts, careful selection of partners and cooperation with local communities.
Economy
An ethical contribution to the company, its staff and the local communities.
What our CSR policy focuses on
- Understanding the interests of the community
- An international regulatory approach
- Building trust
- Being a good neighbour
- Being transparent about the interests and plans of the company
- Keeping oversight of the social and economic impact
Communities
Where we work and with whom
The gold activities take place in and around tribal areas in East Suriname.
Pamaka tribal area
Langatabiki, Pamaka and Gran kreek.
N'Djuka tribal area
Mama Ndjuka, the Ampoma area and Sela kreek.
Areas around the reservoir
The areas surrounding the reservoir.
Investing in the communities
Together with Stichting Bravo Sustainable Development Foundation a percentage of profit is invested in education, healthcare, capacity building and agriculture.
- Education
- Healthcare
- Capacity building
- Agriculture
For international partners
What to expect from a first conversation
We stick to the process rather than to promises. A track starts with a first meeting and moves through documentation and verification.
- 01
First meeting
A conversation about your question, your requirements and the way you work.
- 02
Exchange of documentation
Per track we determine which documentation is relevant and exchange it.
- 03
Verification through the proper channels
Verification runs through the channels intended for it, on both sides.
Transparency
Documentation on request
Certifications, provenance documentation and technical specifications are shared per track, after a first meeting and with the party they are relevant for.
On this page we publish nothing that has not been established: no volumes, no reserves, no prices, no purity figures and no partner names. That is a deliberate choice.
Requests for documentation can be made through contact.
Gold and mining
A conversation about the gold branch
International parties who want to deal with Afu-Mena International NV can get in touch. We take the time for a careful first meeting.