The global appetite for critical minerals such as gold, rare earth elements, tin, tantalum, tungsten, cobalt, and precious stones continues to intensify. These resources are essential to powering everyday technologies—from smartphones and electric vehicles to solar panels and infrastructure development.A substantial portion of the world’s gold and mineral supply now comes from smaller, labor-driven operations that are often informal in nature. While these activities provide vital income for millions of people, they also raise important challenges. Environmental degradation, social impact, and health and safety risks must all be addressed to ensure a more equitable and sustainable path forward.