This episode was recorded on 25 February 2026.
In this episode of Unearthed, hosts Joe Cavatoni and John Reade examine how scientific innovation is strengthening transparency across the global gold supply chain.
They are joined by Dario Biedermann, Head of xTrace at aXedras, to discuss how origin verification technology uses geochemistry and machine learning to confirm where gold comes from. From X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis to deep neural networks that match elemental “fingerprints” to known sources, the episode explores how traceability can work in both refineries and upstream ASGM environments.
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Notable Quotes
“This technology is now here. It’s not hypothetical anymore, we can implement it today.” – Dario Biedermann
“You’ve got the hardware generating the data, but the real key is the software and the training model behind it.” – John Reade
“In areas where traceability is paper-based, it’s very hard to prove where your material is actually from.” – Dario Biedermann
“Traceability is becoming increasingly vital, not just for end users, but for governments and markets that need to understand these flows.” – Joe Cavatoni
“We want to encourage sourcing, not systematically exclude certain areas—but be more granular and more precise.” – Dario Biedermann
About World Gold Council
We are a membership organisation that champions the role gold plays as a strategic asset, shaping the future of a responsible and accessible gold supply chain. Our team of experts builds understanding of the use case and possibilities of gold through trusted research, analysis, commentary, and insights. We drive industry progress, shaping policy and setting the standards for a perpetual and sustainable gold market.
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