Tetra Tech Supports “The Journey of Gold” Virtual Reality Experience
Exploring Democratic Republic of Congo’s first-conflict-free artisanal gold mine to sell gold to a U.S. jewelry company
September 17, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Tetra Tech partnered with the Responsible Artisanal Gold Solutions (RAGS) Forum—a multi-stakeholder coalition whose partners include the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Google—to support “The Journey of Gold,” a unique virtual reality (VR) experience.
This film highlights Tetra Tech’s work implementing USAID’s Capacity Building for a Responsible Minerals Trade (CBRMT) project to pilot conflict-free, artisanal gold mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Gold from the DRC is used in many of the consumer and industrial products we rely on every day, including jewelry, cellphones, and health care equipment. However, more than 95 percent of artisanal gold is mined illegally and smuggled out of the DRC, contributing to ongoing conflict and the loss of millions of dollars of legal tax revenue annually.
Tetra Tech is pleased to partner with USAID, Google, and many other partners on “The Journey of Gold” to let viewers explore Nyamurhale, an artisanal gold mine in the DRC. Once occupied by illegal armed groups, the Nyamurhale mine now produces legal, safe, and conflict-free gold that complies with international standards and guidance. “The Journey of Gold” takes viewers deep inside the mine, shows firsthand how artisanal gold is produced, and introduces the miners and cooperative leaders who work there.
At Nyamurhale Tetra Tech is implementing USAID's CBRMT project, which piloted one of the first-ever conflict-free artisanal gold supply chains from the DRC. Our team worked with government officials and local mining cooperative to help launch the DRC’s traceability system for artisanal gold. The project strengthens and verifies supply chains from mine to market, supports private-sector confidence in the region’s minerals trade, and increases responsible investment in legal mineral supply chains.
"The Journey of Gold" trailer is accessible on computer, tablet, and smartphone or with a VR headset. The full VR experience debuted on Discovery VR on September 14, 2018.
