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BILL • US SENATE
S 3496

United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act

119th Congress
Introduced by John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, Tim Kaine and 1 other co-sponsors

Create a coordinated U.S. strategy to curb illicit gold mining, protect environments, sanction criminals, and formalize artisanal mining.

Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
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Bill Summary • S 3496

United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act (S. 3496)

Introduced: 16 December 2025 (Senate)

Sponsors: Senator John Cornyn, Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Timothy Kaine, Senator Jacky Rosen

Committee: Committee on Foreign Relations (referred; reported 10 February 2026 with amendment in the nature of a substitute)

Status: Refereed, pending further action; no written report required

1. Purpose & Intention

  • Primary goal: Create a coordinated, multi‑year strategy to curb illicit gold mining and trade in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Why: Illicit gold mining fuels transnational crime, corrupts governments, harms the environment, and endangers indigenous communities.
  • Scope: Focuses on artisanal‑small‑scale mining (ASM) but also addresses supply‑chain integrity, financial flows, and enforcement capacity.

2. Key Provisions

Section Main Action Practical Impact
Sec. 4 – Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Strategy The Secretary of State, with other federal agencies, must develop a comprehensive, multi‑year strategy (“Strategy”) Provides a single, coherent framework for U.S. efforts across agencies (State, Treasury, Justice, Customs, etc.)
Elements of the Strategy 1. Disrupt linkages between ASM and criminal actors.2. Protect protected environments (national parks, rivers).3. Counter financing: impose due‑diligence on trade flows, halt foreign persons with ties to illicit networks.4. Capacity building for foreign law‑enforcement, AML, and counter‑terrorism units.5. Support formalization of ASM (licensing, financing, training).6. Public‑private partnership: involve industry and civil society to build traceable, responsibly sourced gold supply chains.7. Enforcement & sanctions: targeted sanctions against officials linked to illicit mining and foreign actors funding the Maduro regime. Creates actionable policy tools—regulatory guidance, guidance to private sector, and enforcement mechanisms—aimed at curbing illicit flows and improving miners’ livelihoods.
Sec. 5 – Classified Briefing The Secretary must provide a classified briefing to key congressional committees within 90 days of enactment, detailing activities by illicit actors in Venezuela. Ensures lawmakers receive timely, intelligence‑grade information to guide oversight and potential sanctions.
Sec. 6 – Investigation of Illicit Gold Trade Coordinated international financial investigations; technical assistance to Latin American states to impose sanctions on Venezuelan officials and traffickers. Strengthens cross‑border cooperation and targets the financial backbone of illicit mining.
Sec. 8 – Public‑Private Partnership Establish a partnership among the Secretary and governments of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and other democracies to promote responsible gold production. Encourages a market‑driven transition to compliant mining practices.
Reporting & Accountability • President must submit the Strategy within 180 days of enactment.• Secretary (or designee) must brief the Committee every 6 months for 3 years. Provides institutional oversight and continuous evaluation.
Physical or Legal Implications The bill does not authorize military force (Sec. 9) and contains no new fiscal measures beyond administrative coordination. Relies on existing law‑enforcement and diplomatic tools.

3. Who Is Affected?

Stakeholder Effect
ASM miners New avenues for legalization, training, and financing; reduced exposure to criminal exploitation.
Indigenous communities Potential protection of lands, reduction in labor abuses, improved environmental stewardship.
Foreign companies Obligated to conduct due‑diligence and traceability; possible restrictions on trade with individuals or entities tied to illicit networks.
U.S. agencies (State, Treasury, Customs, etc.) Expanded mandates, interagency coordination, and intelligence‑sharing requirements.
Foreign governments (Venezuela, Nicaragua, etc.) Potential sanctions, increased scrutiny, loss of illicit revenue streams.
U.S. Congress New oversight responsibilities and reporting obligations.

4. Procedural / Timeline Highlights

Date Event
16 Dec 2025 Bill introduced, read twice, referred to F.R.
10 Feb 2026 Committee reports the bill (amended in the nature of a substitute) to the full Senate.
31 Mar 2026 Bill officially places on the Legislative Calendar (General Orders – Calendar No. 329).
180 days after enactment President submits the Strategy to the relevant committees.
90 days after enactment Classified briefing on Venezuela issued to intelligence committees.
Every 6 months for 3 years Secretary briefs Congress on Strategy implementation and updates.

5. Potential Impact

  • Reduction in illicit gold trade by cutting financial supports and increasing enforcement capacity.
  • Improved labor and environmental conditions for ASM communities through formalization, training, and better resource management.
  • Broader geopolitical ripple effects, including the strengthening of U.S. influence in Latin American security and economic policy.
  • Market shifts as responsible sourcing becomes a legal and reputational requirement, potentially reshaping global gold markets.

Bottom line:

S. 3496 seeks to tackle illicit gold mining through a coordinated, policy‑driven strategy that bridges law‑enforcement, diplomacy, and private‑sector engagement. While the bill does not impose new sanctions or funding, it institutionalizes a comprehensive framework designed to reduce crime, protect the environment, and empower illegal‑gold‑mining communities to transition to legitimate, responsible operations.

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Key Provisions Impacts Timeline
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