The Gold in Your Wedding Band: Mined by Modern-Day Slaves?

Peru is one of the largest gold producers in the world--the fifth largest, if illegally produced gold is taken into account. Gold has recently surpassed cocaine as Peru's largest illicit export, and Peru is the largest cocaine producer in the world. But unlike cocaine, illegal gold goes on to become a legitimate consumer product, found in our jewelry, watches, and smart phones.
Hundreds of thousands of people are employed in Peru in "artisanal" gold mining and peripheral services. Verité, the fair labor NGO, recently mapped the supply chain of Peruvian gold, consulted with experts, and conducted interviews with over 170 mine workers, mechanics, cooks, sex workers, transporters, and others serving the mines. These workers told us horrendous stories of labor and sexual exploitation in Peru.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/verite/the-gold-in-your-wedding_b_4059907.html