Every NatGold Token is backed by a verified volume of in-ground gold, certified through one of the most rigorous and transparent due diligence processes in the industry. This process ensures that the gold is geologically proven, legally secured, and permanently protected—never to be physically mined or extracted.

Verification: How We Know the Gold Is There

NatGold relies exclusively on independent technical reports prepared by Qualified or Competent Persons—credentialed geological professionals operating under globally recognized reporting standards:

• NI 43-101 (Canada)
• JORC Code (Australia)
• S-K 1300 (United States)

These standards are the benchmark for geological credibility, and they are the same ones used by stock exchanges, mining companies, and investment banks around the world. Each deposit considered for tokenization must be validated through one of these technical reports, ensuring a trusted and verifiable record of the gold’s existence.

Only deposits that contain Indicated and/or Measured resources—the economic categories under global mining codes—can qualify for tokenization. Inferred-only deposits do not qualify in the singular, as they do not meet NatGold’s strict integrity threshold.

Certification: What Makes a NatGold Resource “Certified”

Gold resources are designated as Certified NatGold Resources only after passing a multi-stage due diligence process that includes:

1.  AML and KYC clearance of the titleholder.
2. Technical validation of the geological report by a third-party engineering firm.
3. Legal due diligence on the mineral rights title to confirm it is perpetual, transferable, and unencumbered; and not associated with active exploration or mining.

Application of the proprietary proprietary Digital Mining Cutoff Grade by an additional unconflicted mining firm —set at 0.10 grams per tonne (g/t)— to determine how much gold within the deposit qualifies for tokenization. The result is a clearly defined, independently verified volume of gold that becomes the basis for NatGold Token issuance.

Protection: How the Gold Is Kept Securely In-Ground

To ensure Certified NatGold Resources remain permanently in the ground, NatGold employs a multi-layered legal and structural framework:

• Upon approval, resource owners enter into a non-revocable Title Exchange and Tokenization Agreement, transferring both surface and subsurface rights to NatGold Digital.
• Subsurface mineral rights are held by NatGold Integrity Vault LLC, a Delaware subsidiary acting as custodian of the in-ground gold on behalf of token holders.
• Surface rights are severed and held by NatGold Property Holdings LLC, allowing NatGold to control land access and physically prevent mining activity.
• Any ongoing costs associated with surface title (e.g., taxes) are funded through the NatGold Custodial and Social Giveback Program (NCSGP), ensuring the tokenized resource remains undiluted by future obligations.

Further protection is provided through active surveillance, including third-party satellite imagery, environmental monitoring, and regional alerts. If any unauthorized activity is detected, NatGold may trigger enforcement protocols, including legal action and token burning via the NatGold Integrity Fund.

Through this comprehensive framework—combining independent geological validation, legal title control, contractual enforcement, and active monitoring—NatGold ensures that each token is fully backed by real, verifiable gold that remains securely vaulted underground, preserving both token integrity and environmental stewardship.