Raison
d'être
It is our position that a person does not need to be economically tied to the fiat currency of their nationality or place of residence in order to build wealth and trade successfully, while concurrently supporting their country and economy. We call this “capital autonomy,” and simply put, it is our raison d'être.
Ultimate Capital
Freedom
Beyond its role as an investment or store of wealth, using gold as a currency offers individuals independence from government control over monetary systems. When governments excessively print fiat currency to finance expenditures or repay debt it can result in inflation or even hyperinflation, diminishing the purchasing power of money held by individuals. Gold, on the other hand, with its finite supply and intrinsic value, remains immune to devaluation, serving as a stable store of wealth and a valuable trading currency. Transactions conducted in gold via tokenized gold on the blockchain, for example, can circumvent the risks associated with centralized monetary policies, providing a level of financial autonomy and security.
Our mission & vision
“Victory Belongs to the Most Tenacious”
-Roland Garros
We take pride in being the first company worldwide to mine and export third-party validated, conflict-free artisanal gold from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Over three challenging years, Society Artisanal facilitated the legal recognition and professional organization of artisanal cooperatives in the South Kivu province of DRC. In partnership with the US and Dutch governments, we successfully produced conflict-free gold, benefiting local communities. Subsequently, we legally exported this gold to a European refinery. This pioneering project has established a replicable model for other high-risk regions globally.
Join us as we continue to produce gold of trusted provenance, that builds economic sustainability within some of the most overlooked communities on the planet.
Join us as we continue to produce gold of trusted provenance, that builds economic sustainability within some of the most overlooked communities on the planet.
Leadership
Jason Clarke, Co-Founder, CEO
Jason is an entrepreneur with twenty years of experience working across markets in the U.S., Middle East, Africa, and Asia. As of March 2023, Jason led Society Artisanal to become the first company in DRC to mine and export conflict-free, third-party validated artisanal gold. This historic gold export has proven the DRC and other frontier markets are capable of sustainable, international investment leading to internationally vetted and recognized clean gold and critical mineral exports.
When approached by Eva to develop an artisanal mining business in the DRC, Jason uniquely understood the kind of challenges that would lay ahead. With his experience of living and working in Asia and the Middle East and with a desire to create transformative partnerships, he gladly accepted the challenge. After successfully overcoming the myriad of challenges of working in DRC and other frontier markets, Jason is excited to expand their efforts to new markets and to develop a constellation of products around gold as a store of wealth and hedge against economic instability.
Jason earned a degree in Law and Society from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters degree in International Affairs from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Above all, he is a firm believer that the future looks bright for the well prepared.
When approached by Eva to develop an artisanal mining business in the DRC, Jason uniquely understood the kind of challenges that would lay ahead. With his experience of living and working in Asia and the Middle East and with a desire to create transformative partnerships, he gladly accepted the challenge. After successfully overcoming the myriad of challenges of working in DRC and other frontier markets, Jason is excited to expand their efforts to new markets and to develop a constellation of products around gold as a store of wealth and hedge against economic instability.
Jason earned a degree in Law and Society from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters degree in International Affairs from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Above all, he is a firm believer that the future looks bright for the well prepared.
Evariste Emmanuel, Co-Founder
Born in South Kivu Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Evariste (his friends call him Eva) spent his early years in the same struggle as his countrymen. After losing his parents at a very early age, he and his siblings were separated across the world as refugees.
Having spent his teen years in a refugee camp in Kenya, Eva was resettled to the United States just before his 20th birthday. It was shortly after this that he came into contact with a local non-profit led by his now business partner, Jason Clarke. Eva realized the vast opportunities in the US and worked hard to overcome every obstacle in his path.
Eva has started multiple businesses in the logistics, transportation and financial sectors. And after reconnecting with his homeland and many of his family members he saw an opportunity to partner with his people for a better future. After listening to the needs of his family and recognizing their strengths in the artisanal mining sector, a partnership was born. Eva and Jason formed Society Artisanal, partnered with a South Kivu Artisanal Mining Cooperative and went to work envisioning and developing a sustainable and responsible business model to transform the artisanal gold sector in DRC.
Having spent his teen years in a refugee camp in Kenya, Eva was resettled to the United States just before his 20th birthday. It was shortly after this that he came into contact with a local non-profit led by his now business partner, Jason Clarke. Eva realized the vast opportunities in the US and worked hard to overcome every obstacle in his path.
Eva has started multiple businesses in the logistics, transportation and financial sectors. And after reconnecting with his homeland and many of his family members he saw an opportunity to partner with his people for a better future. After listening to the needs of his family and recognizing their strengths in the artisanal mining sector, a partnership was born. Eva and Jason formed Society Artisanal, partnered with a South Kivu Artisanal Mining Cooperative and went to work envisioning and developing a sustainable and responsible business model to transform the artisanal gold sector in DRC.
model
The Society Artisanal
Model
Company Formation and License Acquisition
Identify regions rich in high-grade mineral deposits already undergoing artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities. Engage with local stakeholders and miners to secure access to these sites while establishing the legal framework of the company and obtaining necessary licenses.
Exploration and Assessment
Conduct extensive geological surveys to verify mineral presence, bolstered by the development of an advanced AI model for geological exploration, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of exploration efforts.
Joint Ventures and Collaboration
Forge strategic partnerships and joint ventures with ASM groups, fostering knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and equitable profit distribution. Cultivate trust and mutual respect within local communities to ensure the success of collaborative endeavors.
Financial Arrangements
Facilitate financial arrangements to support the development and production of ASM mineral sites, leveraging investments from financial institutions, impact investors, and government grants earmarked for sustainable mining practices.
Project Upscaling
Transition from artisanal to mechanized operations for increased productivity, while providing comprehensive training to local miners in safety protocols, machinery operation, and geological methodologies.
Regulatory Compliance and Social Responsibility
Adhere to local regulations and international standards for ethical mining practices, prioritizing community well-being, environmental sustainability, and fair labor practices.
Marketing and Sales
Craft marketing strategies to showcase responsibly sourced minerals to global markets, emphasizing the quality and ethical production processes stemming from collaboration with ASM miners.
Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
Implement robust monitoring systems to oversee operations, identify challenges, and drive continuous improvement. Foster regular stakeholder engagement to solicit feedback and make necessary adjustments for ongoing optimization.
L'or est la liberté
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