How ethical is our business? Our Toprock philosophy
Dear All,
We’re often asked this question, so we’ve decided to share a permanent online post. Nature conservation is at the heart of our lives. We live in a 15,000-acre Natural Protected Area we helped create across 27 farms (see https://www.facebook.com/mpushini), where much of Toprock’s profits go. Our warehouse and homes run entirely on solar power. We aim to lessen our environmental footprint while uplifting our partners. Though a small part of our business uses crystals from large-scale Copper, Manganese, and Cobalt mines in Southern and Central Africa, most rocks come from small deposits with minimal impact. From industrial sites, we rescue a tiny fraction of crystals, otherwise crushed for tech, cars, and TVs, saving nature’s gems from becoming hubcaps or screens!
Most of our mining is done by hand with small groups we support, avoiding machinery noise. Tree cutting is rare and costly, we fine $2,000 per Baobab felled at Messina Copper Mines. Small-scale efforts leave only 10-50 foot holes, doubling as wildlife water sources. Socially, Toprock supports 800 miners in remote African and Malagasy areas, offering income where cities lure migrants. Collen from Malawi, for instance, brings Smokey Quartz worth thousands, helps us build, then buys solar gear for Zomba. Once stuck in Johannesburg construction, he now enjoys 70% of his time at home, owns a house and truck, and thrives. Our 27-year Congolese partners bring $5,000-$10,000 hauls, building an internet café and taxi service. Patrick, Kabwe’s son, runs a rare crystal shop in Lusaka, Zambia, succeeding brilliantly. These 800 miners are like family, I recall most, despite forgetting some names after years together. We treat them fairly, navigating bad roads, blackouts, and corrupt officials who demand bribes despite no crystal taxes. Where laws fail, we enforce our own: no tree cutting, littering, or land harm. I push for planting and sustainability, often preaching on environmental care and population balance. In Madagascar, since the 1990s, I’ve worked with locals in French and Malagasy. Instead of one big factory, our small Antananarivo base supports hundreds of family lapidaries. Paying per kilogram doubles their earnings, fueling our growth as we sell their work. I could pay less, but I choose lasting partnerships over quick profits.
Sorry for the lengthy read, I got carried away! I hope this shows our passion for conservation.
All the best,
Nick
5 comments
Write a commentKatherine Buethe
I hope to meet you some day Nick. This is a really great article. Can a US citizen visit Top Rock and get a tour? What is the closest airport and what kind of transportation is safe? I would love to come and see Top Rock if I could afford it! <3
Silvio
Ek get mooi klpie flourish
Ilse
Hello Nick,
Thank you for being open and sharing these insights. I was wondering, can you do an update what has and hasn’t changed since writing this article?
Thank you,
Ilse
Tara
This is exactly why I support toprocks only.
Thank you for all your hard work and effort to protect our beautiful land we call home – it doesn’t go unnoticed.
You guys rock! 😆🥰
Aveek Roy
Nicole,
I am extremely glad to have found this post and to read the incredible lengths that you go to help protect the environment and everyone involved in your operations! Thank you for making the world a better place and for supporting the mineral community in such an invaluable way.