Capacity Building for a Responsible Minerals Trade (CBRMT) Implementation Plan for Responsible Sourcing of Artisanal Gold from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The plan was developed in April 2015 by Tetra Tech for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The objectives of the pilot projects are to establish a chain of custody, conduct due diligence, and ensure assurances and downstream acceptance for pilot sites. The plan identifies three traceability options for pilot projects: the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) certification, the International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (iTSCi) certification, and the Initiative de Traçabilité de l’Or d’Exploitation Artisanale (iTSCi) certification. The pilot model overviews highlight the importance of baseline criteria, pilot phases, and pilot areas. The baseline criteria for CBRMT pilot models include the establishment of a chain of custody, due diligence, and regional certification. The pilot phases involve the development of a pilot model, implementation, and scaling-up. The pilot areas include Maniema – ZEA Model and Orientale. The environmental mitigation and monitoring measures are crucial to minimize the potential environmental impacts of artisanal gold mining. The plan identifies potential environmental impacts, including deforestation, water pollution, and soil degradation. The reporting requirements for environmental mitigation and monitoring measures are outlined in the plan. The gender considerations are also an essential aspect of the CBRMT implementation plan. The plan highlights the importance of addressing gender dynamics at CBRMT pilot sites. The key considerations and recommendations to address gender dynamics include the involvement of women in decision-making processes, the provision of training and capacity-building programs for women, and the establishment of a gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation system. The proposed implementation schedule outlines the key milestones and timelines for the CBRMT implementation plan. The plan also includes a list of participants attending the ASM Gold Workshop and a bibliography of relevant literature. The CBRMT implementation plan aims to promote responsible sourcing of artisanal gold from the DRC by establishing a chain of custody, conducting due diligence, and ensuring assurances and downstream acceptance for pilot sites. The plan also addresses environmental mitigation and monitoring measures and gender considerations to ensure that the artisanal gold mining sector is sustainable and responsible.