What does Preamble of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'A bill to establish and implement a multi-year Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy to reduce the negative environmental and social impacts of illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This bill is formally titled the United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act.

What does FINDINGS. of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This section outlines findings related to the illicit mining, trafficking, and commercialization of gold in the Western Hemisphere. The findings indicate that illicit gold activities negatively affect economic and social dynamics, strengthen criminal organizations, and harm the environment and indigenous populations. A lack of economic opportunities and weak rule of law contribute to illicit gold mining, increasing vulnerability to human rights abuses and displacement. Illicit gold supply chains are international, involving smuggling, money laundering, and cross-border flows of illicit assets. Mineral traders, exporters, processors, and shell companies linked to criminal networks play a key role in trafficking illicit gold. A report suggests that a significant portion of gold mined in several Latin American countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, is mined illicitly. A substantial amount of Venezuelan gold is reportedly sold to entities linked to the Maduro regime, including Mibiturven. Illegal armed groups, such as the ELN, and foreign terrorist organizations collaborate with criminal organizations in Venezuela's illicit gold activities. Transnational criminal organizations, like El Tren de Aragua, are expanding their involvement in illicit gold to increase profits. Nicaragua exported an estimated $989 million in gold during 2021, with a significant portion shipped to the United States, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and Austria.

What does DEFINITIONS. of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Appropriate congressional committees” are specified as committees from the Senate and House of Representatives. “Artisanal and small-scale mining” (ASM) is defined as a form of mining common in the developing world, characterized by rudimentary technology, manual labor, limited regulation, and often harsh working conditions. “Illicit actors” include individuals on designated terrorism and narcotics trafficking lists, as well as drug trafficking organizations. “Key stakeholders” are private sector organizations, industry representatives, and civil society groups representing communities affected by illicit mining, including indigenous groups, committed to the Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy. The “Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy” is defined as the strategy developed pursuant to section 4. “Relevant Federal departments and agencies” include the Department of State, Treasury, Homeland Security, Justice, Interior, and the United States Agency for International Development, among others.

What does LEGAL GOLD AND MINING PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY. of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This section requires the Secretary of State to develop a multi-year strategy, called the Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy, to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere. The strategy must include policies, programs, and initiatives to interrupt linkages between artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and illicit actors. It aims to deter ASM in protected areas and prevent environmental contamination. The strategy seeks to counter the financing of illicit actors involved in gold mining and trafficking. It includes building the capacity of foreign law enforcement to counter various illicit activities related to gold mining, including trafficking in persons and forced labor. The strategy will support existing Memoranda of Understanding with Peru and Colombia to combat illicit gold mining. It will also support foreign government efforts to formalize ASM miners and implement environmental standards. The strategy includes engaging with the mining industry and civil society to promote responsible sourcing and reduce environmental impacts. The strategy requires an assessment of challenges posed by ASM and its links to illicit activities, including those involving Venezuela. The President must submit the strategy to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment and provide semiannual briefings on its implementation.

What does CLASSIFIED BRIEFING ON ILLICIT GOLD MINING IN VENEZUELA. of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This section requires a classified briefing within 90 days of the Act's enactment. The briefing must be provided by the Secretary of State (or designee) in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence. The briefing is directed to specific congressional committees, including the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. The briefing must describe illicit gold mining activities within Venezuelan territory, including those carried out by defectors from FARC and members of the ELN. The briefing must also detail Venezuela's illicit gold trade with foreign governments, specifically mentioning the Governments of the Republic of Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

What does INVESTIGATION OF THE ILLICIT GOLD TRADE IN VENEZUELA. of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with other agencies and governments, to lead an international effort to investigate financial assets linked to illicit activities in Venezuela. The investigation will focus on identifying and tracking assets taken from Venezuelan people and institutions, particularly those related to mining. The Secretary of State is also tasked with providing technical assistance to Latin American governments to establish frameworks for targeted sanctions. Sanctions are intended for officials of the Maduro regime involved in illicit gold activities and foreign persons laundering illicit gold assets linked to terrorist or drug trafficking organizations.

What does LEVERAGING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT. of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This section outlines how the President should leverage international support in implementing the Strategy described in section 4. The President is directed to instruct U.S. representatives and ambassadors to foster international cooperation to achieve the objectives of the Act. This cooperation should include marshaling resources and political support. It also involves encouraging the development of policies and consultation with key stakeholders.

What does PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO BUILD RESPONSIBLE GOLD VALUE of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This section establishes a public-private partnership to build responsible gold value chains. The Secretary of State, in coordination with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and other regional governments, will consult with Switzerland regarding best practices from the Swiss Better Gold Initiative. The Secretary will coordinate with participating governments to establish a partnership advancing identified best practices. The partnership aims to support the formalization and compliance with environmental and labor standards within the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold sector. Activities include increasing awareness of financing for ASM gold miners, enhancing traceability, and establishing a certification process. The partnership will support a public relations campaign to promote responsibly-sourced gold and include civil society representatives. The partnership will facilitate contact between vendors of responsibly-sourced gold and United States companies. The Secretary or USAID Administrator will host a meeting with private sector and international partners to improve due diligence and responsible sourcing.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act do?

This section authorizes appropriations to the Department of State. Up to $10,000,000 may be appropriated for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. These funds are intended to implement the Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy developed under section 4.

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United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act

Last updated: 2/27/2025 · Introduced: 2/27/2025

Author: John Cornyn (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill mandates the development of a multi-year strategy to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere, focusing on disrupting links between artisanal mining and criminal organizations.
The bill requires a classified briefing for Congress detailing illicit gold mining activities in Venezuela, including involvement by defectors from FARC and members of the ELN, and trade with Turkey and Iran.
It directs an international investigation into financial assets linked to illicit gold activities in Venezuela, with the goal of imposing targeted sanctions on regime officials and foreign entities.
The bill establishes a public-private partnership with regional governments and Switzerland to promote responsible gold value chains, supporting formalization, environmental standards, and traceability within the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
The Act authorizes up to $10 million in funding for the Department of State to implement the Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy over two fiscal years.

119th Congressin committeeS. 3496(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 8 more.

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