The Greenlanders fight for common rights on Coloured gemstones continue…
As many of FJA’s followers will know we have been following the Greenland Ruby and coloured gemstone issue for many years. The 16 August Union have been at the fore front of trying to see restored the indigenous and civil rights to pick, cut, polish and earn a living from Greenland’s vast gem wealth. Below is a summary of the meeting that was held between 16 August members and the Greenlandic home rule government. Please note we are publishing this unedited, and English is not the first language of our friends in the Arctic.
’16 .August ‘ Union held a meeting with the Mining Agency, where these points mentioned were brought up:
Point 1:
The lack of internationally recognized Ethical and Ethnical marketing rights which must be assured through certification of precious gem stones, reserved exclusively for precious gem stones refined by grinding and polishing only in Greenland. These internationally recognized certifications, is highly recommended by ‘International Colored Gemstone Association’ (ICA) as the international umbrella organization already has these Ethic, Ethnic, conflict-free and socially responsible principles and certificates ready and is always available for advice on implementation of these principles in the Mineral Resources Act. ICA has previously approached the authorities and offered of making their internationally recognized expertise, without any success.
This can be done as in Nunavut, where the national refined (Cut’n’Polish) Diamonds with Laser inscription in the gemstone girdle, will have a logo and a No. that fits with the accompanying assessment and certificate.
Point 2:
Injunction to the largest and most valuable gemstones MUST processed in Greenland, as neither are of any known Ethics – or Sustainability Principles of raw gemstone exports.
These important principles are NOT implemented in TNG project, which is based on an extremely short and minimal mining life of just 9 years (exploring took 10 years), which in this way will export 400 Million+ Carats, with an annual extraction and export of 20 to 22 million raw gemstone, without any refinement process in Greenland whatsoever.
This can in no way, neither be considered according to international sustainable or ethical principles.
Point 3:
Inquiries by the lack of ‘High-end’ world-class rubies exported by TNG, with a value of $ 500+ per Carat (0,2gram), which has been collected after 2007, when the stones were valued as much as 92% less, and the assessments were more than 10 times worse than before 2007, after which the population (illegally) were excluded from the free international market.
Before ‘restructuring’ in TNG in 2007, there were cut and evaluated Rubies, with an average value of $ 950 per Carat and a 60 gram polished gemstone ‘Kitaa Ruby’ valued at $ 500,000. No gems over $500 per Carat since.
There has been performed a fatal lack of control in the extraction and exportation of the largest and most valuable gemstones in the TNG project.
These precious stones are even wanted by the international shareholders of TNG shareholders discussion boards, as there is persistence in rumors among Qeqertarsuatsiaat (Fiskenaesset) citizens, as well as former foreign employees in TNG, in the smuggling of these ‘high-grade’, bypassing the total lack of control system after 2007.
Point 4:
Changing the limit in the Mineral Resources Act, as 100,000,- Dkr. limit only inhibits the artistic borders and ability skills, and hinder personal development, personal incomes and limits potential tax revenue.
A solution to the so-called ‘historical rocks’, as in already, for several generations collected, before the upgraded Mineral Resources Act through the ages, from pre Small-scale scheme and the current bureaucratic obstructive, yet unfinished disposable Export Permit scheme was introduced. Inquiries by one of the few, but very important sustainability principles in gemstone mining, which is to accumulate knowledge and skills, empowering the citizens with courses in Facet grinding, engraving, Jewelry making, such as Gold & Silversmiths courses, Jewelry Design courses etc.
Point 5:
Creating an ‘Export House’ reserved for citizens gathered gemstones according to the report conducted by the International Fair-Trade and Rights Organization ‘FairJewelryAction’ (FJA) entitled:
Creating a Prosperous and Inclusive Gemstone Industry in Greenland (click to download)
This is necessary to eliminate the black market and smuggling of precious stones, as these social problems, largely prevents people and society, from achieving the real value and accumulate the necessary knowledge. The population and ALL their stones is to be included and not excluded.
Section 6:
A project ‘Safe-Conduct’ to processing of the populations locally / privately owned gemstone. This project is to compare prices with example TNG that during their investigation and since 2007 has downgraded their gemstone with whole 92% from a previous average of $ 950 per Carat, to present only $ 73 per Carat. Despite the fact that world prices of Ruby & Sapphire has doubled since the first high and only credible assessment from TNG before 2007. Despite the fact that TNG has conducted investigations for 10 years and has exported 300 tons, there is still no ‘International Price Index on Greenland Rubies & Sapphires’ under world market conditions. Therefore, this ‘Second Opinion’ project reports from recognized international organizations and institutions will seek to ensure a higher and more reliable price indices on the world market. As well as dampen both local and international skepticism. But this assumes, however, that these private collections, after processing NOT being confiscated by a higher international assessment than in the law limited 100.000Dkr. as the Mineral Resources Act ascribes that all private collections valued over 100,000Dkr., is to be confiscated.
This project can thus ONLY have a positive effect for the Greenland society, as possible higher personal incomes, will lead to higher personal tax income, and will have a soothing calming effect on current skepticism among the population and increasing scrutiny, as would be created by such a parallel Second Opinion survey.
The 16’th August Union hopes and expects a positive reception and the answers to these for the communities important points, which also became very clear in the association’s ‘Hearing Answer’ in the Hearing Process, but where in the authorities ‘White Paper’ in connection with the TNG Mining Exploration License, just was answered with this repeated remark “It’s taken to intelligence” without further following up on these points.
Sincerely,
’16.August ‘ Union’.”
In conclusion the 16 August Union have asked us to write to the Minister for Mines supporting the simple right and freedom of all Greenlandic citizens and indigenous people to be able to make a living from the gemstones of their land.
The newly elected Minister of Minerals and Economy is also Vice minister of Naalakkersuisut, his name is Andreas Uldum and his E-Mail is: [email protected]
