The three-day Symposium hosted a number of panels which discussed industry issues spanning traceability, challenges in the emerald mining sector, ethical supply chain and environmental impacts of mining. More than 200 foreign delegates and 300 local delegates attended the event, including speakers from 25 countries.
Symposium chairman and president of the Colombian Exporters Association, Guillermo Galvis, addressed the audience at the event’s 12 October opening in which he highlighted the importance of government and local communities working in cohesion to achieve sustainable mining practices: “It’s up to us to have a better industry,” he said.
These sentiments were reiterated by International Colored Gemstone Association ambassador to Colombia, Idolfo Romero Rodríguez: “I look forward to all the projects currently underway and those that are upcoming in order to have clear guidance with reporting standards of geological information and to collaborate on this fantastic initiative,” he stated.
“Together, we are taking coloured gemstones—and especially our beloved emeralds—forward,” Rodríguez added.
The Colombian Government used the Symposium as an opportunity to unveil upcoming plans for its five-year ‘Mineral Digital Fingerprint’, which commenced earlier this year. The US$30 million project establishes the origins of minerals by identifying physical-chemical characteristics and has been organised in partnership with the Colombian Geological Service and the National University.
Gloria Prieto, from Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy presented the Fingerprint, which can also be used to trace the different stages of exploitation, refinement and commercialization of the minerals.
Delegates from luxury brands included Van Cleef and Arpels and LVMH, with the latter’s environmental project manager Cathelijne Klomp hosting a presentation which stressed the importance of companies ensuring all elements of their products are ethically sourced.
The CIBJO Congress immediately followed the Symposium from 15 October. Colombia’s vice president Marta Lucia Ramirez attended the conference where she outlined challenges within local industry and stressed the importance of expanding the country’s jewellery sector.
CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri unveiled the Federation’s Responsible Sourcing Guidance, which will achieve Blue Book status. He stated: “As industry leaders, our obligation is to ensure that our sector is able to evolve and adapt in accordance with changing business, technological, social and geopolitical conditions.”
“Staying in one place effectively means that you are moving backwards, and that is not acceptable.”
Responsible Sourcing Commission was established, with Philip Olden appointed as its president in order to change and amend the working document in future if need be.
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