the new accountability
TRACEABILITY
Before SMO, only a tiny proportion of the gold in the world was fully traceable, due to the nature of how it is mined, refined and sold.
The origins of SMO Gold and its segregated journey across the processing, refining and sales chain is fully traceable by way of a QR code & single batch number.
Every ounce of SMO Gold is fully traceable back to the mine from which it was sourced. The 'Chain of Custody', from the mine to approved LBMA refinery, where it is refined in segregation under independent audit supervision, to the onward shipment to manufacturing partners globally, for each batch is externally audited.
A QR code enables consumers to trace their gold’s origins and to discover the positive environmental and social impacts of their purchase.
FULL TRACEABILITY ENSURES COMPLETE ACCOUNTABILITY.
EXTRACTION
SMO member mines are carefully selected for their outstanding ESG credentials. They adhere to the exacting standards of the World Gold Council's Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMPs), Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) or International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) principles.
SEGREGATION
SMO Gold remains segregated from any other material throughout the supply chain.
Member mines use independent auditors to monitor mine output; world-class logistics partners ensure gold remains segregated whilst being transported; approved LBMA refiners maintain segregation throughout the refining process; and any manufacturing prior to materials being delivered to jewellers is completed under segregated conditions. This segregated journey is fully documented, referred to as the 'Chain of Custody'.
REFINERY
SMO Gold is refined by approved LBMA refiners in total segregation from any other material. This process is overseen every time by an independent auditor.
For SMO, the refinery the most critical part of the 'Chain of Custody', hence the audit, as this is the point where normal gold would become untraceable, when multiple gold sources are co-mingled.
MANUFACTURING
SMO Gold can be supplied to jewellery partners as fine gold grain directly from the LBMA refinery. Alternatively, it can be alloyed and turned into alloyed grain, wrought product, rings, chain or castings for delivery to jewellers, all in total segregation.
All finished items of jewellery manufactured with SMO Gold can be hallmarked with the SMO mark, subject to mass balance checks at the assay office.
AUDIT
Each batch of SMO Gold is fully traceable through the 'Chain of Custody' from mine to jeweller, complete with a documented paper trail.
All SMO Gold is supplied with a QR code, allowing end consumers to see exactly where their gold was mined, and learn more about the positive social and environmental impacts associated with their purchase.
CHAIN OF CUSTODY
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MINE
Gold is extracted from SMO member mine, with independent reconciliation of mine output vs export volumes
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TRANSPORT
Secure segregated transport from mine to refinery by renowned 3PL partners
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REFINERY
Fully segregated refining process only using approved LBMA certified refineries
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AUDIT AT REFINERY
Independent auditors conduct process assurance and independently verify segregation through refining process
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TRANSPORT
Secure segregated transport from refinery to vault or to manufacturers by renowned 3PL partners
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END OF JOURNEY
Vault or Manufacturer
RESPONSIBILITY
the magnifier of ethics
TRANSPARENCY
SMO only work with approved mines, those carefully selected member mines that adhere to the strictest ESG principles and undergo an annual assurance audit that is compliant with internationally recognised responsibility standards.
SMO member mines are committed to transparency through the sharing of comprehensive, independently audited ESG data annually. Quarterly commentary on initiatives to improve environmental and social performance adds depth to this commitment.
SMO's creation of a robust ESG benchmark, both globally and regionally, reinforces the belief that transparency acts as a catalyst for continuous improvement across the entire sector, extending beyond individual member mines.
SMO member mines have vast reserves and can supply responsibly sourced gold, at scale and without additional premiums, while continuing to improve & evolve their operations & ESG commitments.
For those that are mining responsibly and with transparency, SMO provides recognition & a like-minded community.
RESPONSIBLY SOURCED
GOLD AT SCALE
With SMO, jewellery houses and makers alike can now access abundant supplies of gold jewellery bullion with detailed provenance.
SMO offers assurance that their gold has been responsibly sourced and is fully traceable to a single mine, operating with transparency.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
OUR HISTORY
INDUSTRY INSIDERS
Single Mine Origin was founded in 2017 by Dan & Charlie Betts, in response to a growing demand for responsibly sourced gold.
While alternatives such as Fair Trade, Fairmined and recycled gold have existed for some time, there are limitations due to artisan production, pricing premiums and small quantities, all insufficient to satisfy the growing global demands of conscious consumerism. The provenance of gold came into question, amongst a rising consciousness of the social & environmental impact of the mining industry.
A new global standard of scalable responsibly sourced gold was required. In 2012, in search of a solution, Dan Betts left the family business, concentrating solely on Hummingbird Resources, a gold exploration business previously set up with his father, Stephen Betts.
It quickly became apparent that barely any of the world's gold supply is fully traceable, due to the nature of how it is mined, refined and sold. Without this traceability, there was little accountability, and a lack of assurance as to the social & environmental standards being upheld. For those that were mining responsibly and with transparency, a coming together was needed, to unite & connect them to the growing demands of conscious consumerism.
In 2017, Hummingbird Resources, together with Betts Metals, formed “Single Mine Origin” offering gold that was not only responsibly sourced & mined with transparency, but fully traceable to a single mine, with reserves. This was an industry first for the jewellery & investment sectors.
In 2024 Hummingbird Resources fully divested and SMO is solely owned by the Betts Group, and Charlie Betts is the Managing Director.
THE JOURNEY TO SMO
Co-Founder & Managing Director
CHARLIE BETTS
Charlie Betts represents the ninth consecutive generation of the Betts family to manage Betts Group; a business focusing on refining precious metals and manufacturing jewellery and investment products. Charlie is also the managing director of Single Mine Origin (SMO).
Charlie has experienced first-hand the recent surge in consumer engagement with responsible sourcing in the jewellery industry. He also has expert understanding of the challenges faced by jewellers in reliably and cost-effectively acquiring materials with detailed provenance.
“Our aim is to incite jewellers, watchmakers, manufacturers and investors universally to engage with the provenance of their gold.”
CO-FOUNDER
DAN BETTS
Charlie’s brother, Dan Betts, is the CEO of Hummingbird Resources PLC; an AIM-listed multi-asset gold company with producing gold mines in West Africa, one of which is Yanfolila, an SMO member mine.
Having co-founded SMO with Betts Group back in 2017, Hummingbird Resources have now divested and SMO is solely owned by Betts Group.
Dan is actively engaged with the challenges of developing socially and environmentally responsible gold mines, adhering to internationally recognised responsibility standards and ensuring such initiatives are not only beneficial to their host communities, but continuously improving & evolving.
