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S3496119th CongressWALLET

United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]

In Committee

Summary

Combat illicit gold mining and build legal, traceable gold supply chains across the Western Hemisphere. This bill would require the Secretary of State to lead a multi-year, government-wide Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy to sever criminal links to artisanal and small-scale mining, reduce environmental harm, and tighten due diligence across supply chains.

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  • Artisanal miners and local communities: It would promote formalization, training, access to financing, and mercury-free technologies to help miners move into regulated, culturally appropriate markets and reduce environmental damage.
  • Regional governments and law enforcement: It would require a Strategy due in 180 days and semiannual implementation briefings for three years, plus capacity-building for customs, financial intelligence units, and civilian law enforcement to detect money laundering and trafficking.
  • U.S. government and private sector actors: It would push for tracing and certification aligned with OECD guidance, coordinate with refineries to block illicit imports, and authorize targeted financial investigations and sanctions to disrupt networks and recover assets tied to illicit mining.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Help for artisanal miners and markets

This bill would require the State Department to make a multi-year Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy for the Western Hemisphere. The President would submit the Strategy to Congress within 180 days after enactment. The Strategy would help artisanal and small-scale miners formalize, use mercury-free refining, lower some compliance costs, and get access to financing and buyers. It would set up a public-private partnership with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and other partners to improve traceability, certification, and community consent. The Secretary or designee would brief Congress within 180 days after submission and then every six months for three years.

Tighter anti-money-laundering rules and briefings

This bill would direct the State Department, Treasury, and Justice Department to lead international financial investigations to trace gold-linked assets taken from Venezuela. The U.S. would share financial intelligence and help partner governments adopt laws to sanction people laundering illicit gold linked to terrorist and drug groups. The bill would require a classified briefing within 90 days about Venezuela's illicit gold mining and trade, including links to Turkey and Iran. It would also change anti-money-laundering evaluation rules so regulators must consider precious-metal transactions when judging a country or bank. The bill would say that nothing in it authorizes the use of U.S. military force.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cornyn, John [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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