RCS Global Group and the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) announced the extension of the Best Small Scale Mine Mining and Monitoring (ASM) program to copper and cobalt extraction sites in Lualaba province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The expansion will begin with the early addition of a mine near Likasi followed by a fifth recently under evaluation. Better Mining and MRI aim to expand the programme to 12 seconds in the Democratic Republic of the Congo until 2023.
The agreement marks the next phase of the expansion of the Better Mining programme, which is perceived as a key pillar in the formalization of MAPE mining and the possible acceptance of MAPE in global metals markets.
An agreement was also reached to expand Better Mining’s partnership with Huayou Cobalt, China’s largest cobalt refinery, to continue tracking the Kasulo and Kamilombe mining sites for another two years. The extension will come with partnerships for implementing local improvement measures.
In another vein, Better Mining announced that it would coordinate its efforts with the Fair Cobalt Alliance, a source chain action platform founded through Huayou Cobalt, Fairphone, Signify and Impact Facility, which is beginning its technical paintings to function. Artisan mining sites informed through better mining data.
Implemented at the COBALT, Copper and 3TG ASM sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the extension of the partnership with Huayou Cobalt and the expansion to other sites is the last positive step of the Better Mining program, which has the active support of the main players in the market, adding Volvo Cars and other subsequent brands.
Better Mining frequently assesses and monitors hazards and effects at MAPE mining sites in accordance with the OECD Duty of Care Guide and other guilty sourcing criteria. Knowledge is disseminated through agents permanently parked on mining sites, equipped with virtual cellular surveillance tools.
In addition to supporting the expansion of the Better Mining program, the RMI is working with stakeholders to describe the responsible acceptance of MAPE cobalt cobalt market and to ensure that those expectations are incorporated into the criteria and guidelines of the cobalt manufacturer and refiner. and subsequent business processes. Players in the cobalt source chain can gain advantages from the presence of independent tracking and the resulting knowledge on MAPE sites to assist them in their guilty purchasing decisions.
Bryce Lee, CSR Director of Huayou Cobalt:
“Huayou Cobalt remains committed to supporting the progression of a cobalt sector of MAPE formalized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where miners who have these paints for their livelihood can paint safely. Our collaboration with Better Mining is one of the key pillars of this mission. Look forward to continuing our commitment to the program.
Leah Butler, Vice President of the Responsible Business Alliance:
“The RMI is committed to the production of cobalt from MAPE guilty to identify it through the market and contribute definitively to local communities. Independent site monitoring and reporting facilities provided through Better Mining are a very important component of this process, which we are pleased to evolve with members of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and other stakeholders”.
Managing Director of RCS Global Group, Ferdinand Maubrey:
“Huayou Cobalt was one of our founding partners when Better Mining began in 2018. Two years later, we are very pleased that the company continues to help mapE’s cobalt sector with our paints.
“Supporting the formalization of MAPE in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and allowing responsibly produced MAPE cobalt to enter the chains of foreign sources will ensure that the livelihoods of other people under MAPE are maintained while respecting human rights and implementing the most productive practices. We are grateful for the key players in the source chain to continue this journey ».