What is the Origin of the Royal Canadian Mint’s Gold?

Today, traceability and sustainability of financial assets are key standards required by investors and governments. Gold is no exception: Traceability is a matter of central importance for anyone who invests in gold.

The Royal Canadian Mint recognized worldwide for its excellence in minting collectible coins and gold refining, has taken a key role in promoting responsible practices in the supply chain of the gold it protects.

The Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Gold’s Traceability from the Mine to the Vault

The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) obtains gold from two main sources:

1. Responsible Canadian mining: A great part of the refined and protected gold comes from mines located in Canada that operate under strict environmental and social regulations. An emblematic example is the gold coin Maple Leaf, single-sourced, produced exclusively with gold from the mine Eleanor in Quebec, whose traceability is documented from its extraction to its refining and minting.

Gold Maple Leaf Bullion coin

2. Imports of certified refined gold: When gold is acquired from abroad, the RCM requires its suppliers to comply with the Responsible Sourcing Programme of the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association), based on the due diligence guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This protocol excludes materials from conflict zones, unregulated artisanal mining, or activities that involve human rights violations.

Technology and Certification against Illegal Gold

Not only does the Royal Canadian Mint perform chemical analyses and purity tests on all the gold it receives, but it has also implemented a solution based on DLT technology (Distributed Ledger Technology) to securely and immutably record the origin and traceability of the gold it manages.

Each lot of refined gold is identified by a serial number, and its chain of custody is documented from the source to its storage in the RCM vaults. In addition, the institution is subject to annual external audits that verify compliance with international responsible sourcing standards.

Contrast vs Illegal Practices in Other Regions

This ethical commitment becomes more relevant when compared to what happens in regions where gold mining does not have State oversight or solid regulatory frameworks.

In countries such as Peru, Colombia, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, illegally extracted gold has been linked to child labor, environmental devastation, money laundering, and the financing of criminal networks.

A 2024 report published by Reuters revealed that even refiners approved by the LBMA have faced criticism for having admitted gold with dubious origins in the past.

Canada as a Reference

Canada has emerged as a global leader in the development of sustainable and regulated mining. Canadian legislation imposes high environmental standards, establishes relationships with Indigenous communities, and promotes transparency throughout the value chain.

The Royal Canadian Mint as a public entity, is part of this national policy and acts as a guarantor of compliance with ethical standards that are increasingly valued by international markets.

The Royal Canadian Mint acts as Aktagold’s sole supplier, depository, and exclusive custodian of the gold sold to its clients. This institution's endorsement allows us to guarantee the highest standards of purity, traceability, and secure custody for our clients.

About Aktagold

Aktagold helps individuals worldwide protect their wealth from economic instability by providing access to savings in physical gold, stored in high-security vaults at the Royal Canadian Mint® in Ottawa (Canada), offering a level of protection once reserved for the wealthiest investors.

Contact us and learn more about how to protect your wealth by saving in gold.