Located in a remote region of the Chapada Diamantina in Bahia, Brazil, the objective of this initiative is to brand the unique rutilated quartz gemstones found here to add value to the community and empower women by training in basic cutting skills. Up to 2500 artisanal miners including women, and their families depend on this resource. Beyond supporting the infrastructure to mine and process the stones (including improving mine safety), the plan is to create sustainable methods of growing food, supporting an elementary school, and emphasizing environmental stewardship. It is contemplated that the model will be able to be replicated in other artisanal mining settings. The initial task of gaining support from the community, federal, state, and municipal government in the region has already been achieved by Brian Cook’s efforts in formalizing land and mining rights, legalizing miners through cooperatives. “This will be generational, not just the next five years,” Brian Cook.
The mine adds value by sorting, processing and cleaning. By setting up a lapidary school, the Cooks intend to provide training for cutting and polishing, adding value to the stones by cutting at the source with all profits going to the workers. This school will provide opportunities to learn processing and cutting skills for the local community with a particular focus on empowering women and help to maximize the quality and value of the materials being traded, adding economic benefit.
The Cooks seek to encourage a diverse approach to the area’s economic development beyond just mining, including a regenerative model organic farm, teaching conservation of natural assets, and identifying potential endemic plants to help sustain alternative revenue streams to the area. “Mining inherently is not sustainable,” says Cook. “When and where possible, we as an industry, could help steer mineral dependent communities towards sustainable activities before the viability of the mines demise.” “All the good things we can do around mining should be done: safety measures, improving mining methods, adding scientific innovation, et cetera- but the parallel part is creating economic sustainability in other areas.Cook will utilize an organic farming method native to the northern region of the state, named Mandala for its innovative design; which operates on solar power and natural irrigation. The organic farm will provide food directly to the mining community and contribute to carbon sequestration. The farm’s surplus will be sold at the market and revenue will be returned to supporting its upkeep. Furthermore, the organic farm will be open to the local primary school as an educational component on natural resources and food growing practices.
The Bahia Model seeks to be a replicable model for other areas of the world as many artisanal mining communities exist in poverty and remain disenfranchised. Brian hopes to reflect the potential of the industry to affect meaningful change:“Shine a light on everyone doing good in this industry. The future needs to go this way. I want our industry to be a leader- be ahead of the game, not catching up.”The Cook team is continuing with the planning of the Bahia Sustainable Mining Model and is seeking support from the Jewelry Industry Summit community in the form of financial management, advising, funding, and marketing. Creating the infrastructure to support the initiative is needed. A facility to process stones, teach cutting skills, with a residence and garden including additional rooms for visitors to observe and participate.If you are interested in getting involved or helping to support the Bahia Sustainable Mining Model, please contact Brian Cook at bc@naturesgeometry.com.
For additional information or questions, please contact the Jewelry Industry Summit at jewelryindustrysummit@gmail.com.