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Swiss Better Gold and Bank of Mongolia advance responsible gold supply through joint field visit
Ulaanbaatar / Tannay, May 2026 – Swiss Better Gold (SBG) and the Bank of Mongolia (BoM) conducted a joint field mission from 4 to 8 May 2026, marking an important step forward in the development of a responsible and traceable gold supply chain from Mongolia to Switzerland.
The visit formed part of the ongoing collaboration between SBG and the Bank of Mongolia to support artisanal and small‑scale gold producers in meeting international responsible sourcing standards and accessing formal export markets through the Swiss Better Gold Programme.
During the mission, joint SBG–BoM teams visited licensed gold mining operations in Zaamar soum (Tuv province), Buregkhangai soum (Bulgan province), and Bayangol soum (Selenge province). These site visits focused on assessing mining practices, licensing status, operational conditions, and traceability readiness, while engaging directly with mining operators interested in embracing Swiss Better Gold programme aiming at responsible environmental, social, and governance practices.
The delegation also visited a Precious Metal Assay Laboratory and the Bank of Mongolia branch in Darkhan province, reinforcing collaboration across key nodes of the gold supply chain. In addition, meetings were held with a local gold trader, including a visit to a gold buying shop, providing further insight into firstmile purchasing practices and opportunities to strengthen due diligence and traceability mechanisms.
These field activities represent tangible progress in the joint pilot project between SBG and the Bank of Mongolia, which has already successfully onboarded five gold mining operations. This first group of producers is currently progressing toward Step 2 accreditation under the Swiss Better Gold Programme, which will enable them to access to premiumbased Swiss export channels. Building on this foundation, the recent mission identified additional mining operations that expressed readiness and willingness to participate, confirming strong interest across Mongolia’s licensed ASM sector.
Beyond technical assessments, the visit significantly strengthened institutional cooperation between SBG and the Bank of Mongolia. Joint field engagement has enhanced mutual understanding of operational realities, aligned expectations across institutions, and reinforced trust among miners, buyers, and regulators involved in the supply chain. This collaboration is a key enabler for integrating Mongolian ASM gold into international responsible sourcing frameworks.
As a result, SBG has reaffirmed its openness to engaging additional mining operations across the country that are committed to responsible gold production and eager to benefit from SBG incentives, including technical assistance, market access, and premiumbased reinvestment in socioenvironmental improvements.
Looking ahead, the SBG–BoM partnership is transitioning toward longterm cooperation, with a shared objective of progressively improving gold traceability, strengthening centralized purchasing and duediligence systems while scaling up responsible and traceable gold exports from Mongolia to Switzerland. By combining institutional leadership with marketbased incentives, the partnership aims to establish a sustainable, transparent, and internationally recognized supply chain that generates economic opportunities for miners while meeting the expectations of responsible global markets.
