The Royal Canadian Mint bought gold traced back to northwestern Colombian mines controlled by the Clan del Golfo drug cartel, yet said it came from North America because it was mixed with U.S. metal in Texas before arriving in Canada. (The New York Times)

Talking point: The Royal Canadian Mint boasts “enhanced traceability” of its gold through software called Bullion Genesis. “The Mint’s leadership in adopting leading-edge technologies allow precious metal buyers to have confidence in the authenticity, integrity and provenance of the products offered by the Mint,” says its website. An audit of the Texas supplier that provided five per cent of the raw gold Canada’s Mint refined last year shows it got some from a region where the cartel has documented ties to the gold trade. Spokesperson Deneen Perrin told The Logic existing guidelines did not require the Mint to inquire further. The Mint is looking at disclosing data on the original source of metals, including when they are blended.