An overview on recycled metal providers (see links below) and the reasons behind them can be found at:
The Responsible Jewelry Council http://www.responsiblejewellery.com
Christine Dein’s “Green Jewelry News” email newsletter http://www.christinedhein.com/about.html
Ethical Metalsmiths http://www.ethicalmetalsmiths.org
No Dirty Gold http://www.nodirtygold.org/
Earth Justice http://earthjustice.org
Hoover & Strong http://www.hooverandstrong.com/blog/archives/117/
National Geographic Magazine The Real Price of Gold http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/01/gold/larmer-text
http://www.sundancechannel.com/ecotrip/episodes/season-1/eco-trip-episode-3-gold-ring/
new mines that have popped up, and are trying to pop up, because of the boon in gold sales. Plus some attempts to curb the impact
Indian Jewelers Supply Co, in Albequerque NM
http://www.ijsinc.com/
Indian Jewelers Supply takes its responsibility to the planet seriously, and that’s why we only offer silver manufactured by foundries certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council. The silver is only made using recycled scrap that originated from a RJC foundry and ore from certified responsible American mines. We also recycle tons of copper, red and yellow brass, and nickel every year.
Hoover and Strong
A refiner and a caster that sells raw materials. They have a couple of comprehensive pages on their website stating why they sell recycled metal
http://www.hooverandstrong.com/category/Environmental+Responsibility/
?http://www.hooverandstrong.com/blog/archives/117/
United Precious Metal Refining, Inc.
Sells recycled fine silver and fine gold
http://www.unitedpmr.com/
David H. Fell & Co
http://www.dhfco.com/ourProcess.htm
Precious Metals West
http://www.preciousmetalswest.com/index.php
Hauser & Miller
http://www.hauserandmiller.com