Origin · People · Environment · Integrity
Responsibility is
part of the source.
Kikan.ca Inc. is developing a risk-based approach to precious-metals and mineral relationships that considers where material comes from, who may be affected and whether an opportunity can progress responsibly.
Review must remain proportionate to the source, country, parties, product and identified risks.
This page describes Kikan’s developing approach and expectations. It does not claim that Kikan, any supplier, product or transaction is certified, audited, conflict-free, ethical, sustainable, LBMA-approved or formally OECD-compliant.
Our position
Responsible sourcing is a process—not a label.
A document, certificate or country name cannot by itself establish that mineral material was responsibly sourced.
Kikan’s approach is intended to combine information about the counterparty, beneficial ownership, origin, rights, production context, affected people, product, custody and proposed transaction.
The depth of review should increase when risk increases. Information may need to be tested, refreshed or independently assessed, and an opportunity may be paused or declined when concerns cannot be addressed.
Six areas of attention
The material and its wider footprint.
Not every risk appears in every opportunity, but no opportunity should be reduced to product specifications alone.
Origin and rights
Source location, extraction or supply authority, licences, ownership, production context and lawful route to market.
Human rights
Risks of serious abuse, forced labour, child labour, discrimination, unsafe work, coercion or harm to vulnerable people.
Conflict and security
Armed-group involvement, conflict financing, abusive security practices, unlawful taxation and diversion of value.
Communities
Land interests, local participation, grievances, livelihoods, cultural context and impacts on surrounding communities.
Environment
Water, land, waste, chemicals, mercury, biodiversity, rehabilitation and the controls appropriate to the operation.
Integrity and traceability
Beneficial ownership, corruption, sanctions, financial crime, records, intermediaries, custody and consistency of information.
Risk-based review cycle
From expectation to evidence and response.
This cycle is informed by recognized responsible-business and mineral-supply-chain guidance. It is not a claim of certification or completed conformity.
- 01Management systems
Set expectations
Define the information, conduct and cooperation expected from counterparties and internal decision-makers.
- 02Risk assessment
Identify and assess
Understand the supply chain, actual and potential adverse impacts, inconsistencies and areas requiring deeper review.
- 03Risk response
Decide and respond
Prevent, mitigate, build leverage, require improvement, suspend or disengage according to the nature and severity of risk.
- 04Independent input
Verify where appropriate
Use qualified independent expertise, testing, assurance or professional advice when reliance on internal information is insufficient.
- 05Continuous review
Track and communicate
Maintain records, follow agreed actions, refresh material information and communicate accurately without overstating outcomes.
Artisanal and small-scale mining
Responsible engagement can support formalization and improvement.
Artisanal and small-scale mining can support livelihoods and local economies, but it may also involve elevated legal, safety, environmental, child-labour, human-rights and traceability risks.
Kikan does not treat small scale as automatic evidence of either responsibility or wrongdoing. Where lawful and appropriate, a risk-based response may include clearer documentation, stronger controls, capacity building and measurable improvement. Severe or unaddressed risks may require suspension or disengagement.
Explore Mining PartnershipsRisk signals
Concerns change the pathway.
No single list captures every risk. Patterns, contradictions and unexplained urgency matter alongside documents.
Examples requiring escalation
- Unclear legal or beneficial ownership
- Rights, permits or origin that cannot be supported
- Unexplained intermediaries or payment routes
- Possible child or forced labour
- Conflict, sanctions or abusive security exposure
- Material inconsistencies in records or claims
Possible responses
- Request clarification or further evidence
- Require independent professional review
- Apply conditions and improvement measures
- Increase monitoring and approval authority
- Pause or restrict the proposed activity
- Decline or disengage when risk is unacceptable
Truthful communication
Say only what the evidence supports.
Responsible-sourcing claims can create false confidence if they are broader than the underlying review.
Related pathways
Responsibility continues across the relationship.
Review the baseline information, conduct and cooperation expected from prospective suppliers.
↗ ControlsComplianceUnderstand how legal, counterparty, sanctions and transaction risks affect progression.
↗ ContextOperating MarketsSee how country and regional conditions shape opportunity review.
↗Responsible-sourcing questions
Direct answers.
Clear information for suppliers, buyers, partners and search systems.
What does responsible sourcing mean to Kikan?
It means applying a risk-based process to understand origin, rights, people, environment, integrity, traceability and potential adverse impacts before and during a relationship.
Does Kikan guarantee that all gold is conflict-free?
No. Kikan does not make a blanket conflict-free guarantee. Claims must remain transaction-specific and supported by the scope and quality of available evidence.
Is Kikan LBMA certified or accredited?
This website does not claim that Kikan is an LBMA Good Delivery refiner, member, certified entity or accredited assurance provider. LBMA requirements apply specifically within its programme.
Does Kikan exclude all artisanal and small-scale miners?
No. Small scale alone does not determine whether an opportunity is responsible. Kikan considers legality, evidence, risks, controls, willingness to improve and whether severe impacts can be prevented or addressed.
What happens when Kikan identifies a serious concern?
Kikan may request more evidence, require specialist review or corrective measures, increase monitoring, pause activity, decline the opportunity or disengage, depending on the facts and risk.
Responsible participation
Bring the source into view.
Present the people, rights, origin, product and available evidence behind the opportunity.