Capacity Building for a Responsible Minerals Trade Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan

The plan selects a set of environmental and social issues for which the project can exert some control and offers interventions to mitigate these impacts. The CBRMT program falls under the approved IEE 196-3XDRC09, outlining USAID's planned activities in the area of responsible minerals trade. The plan identifies a set of environmental and social indicators that will be monitored at mine sites supported by CBRMT during project implementation. These indicators include environmental and social impacts, such as water pollution, deforestation, and displacement of local communities. The plan also outlines the reporting schedule for monitoring and mitigation activities, which will be conducted by CBRMT staff and implementing partners. The CBRMT program is classified under Categories 1 and 2 of USAID's environmental regulations (22 CFR 216), which allows for Categorical Exclusions for certain activities. The program's monitoring and mitigation activities have been informed by USAID's Sector-Specific Guidelines for Africa, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, and the Mine Inspection Report for the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority/Geology and Mines Department. The plan may be revised upon completion of a new umbrella IEE, if deemed necessary by USAID/DRC. The CBRMT program's environmental and social impacts will be monitored and mitigated through a set of interventions, including the development of best management practices, the implementation of environmental and social indicators, and the reporting of monitoring and mitigation activities. The CBRMT program's environmental and social impacts will be monitored and mitigated through a set of interventions, including the development of best management practices, the implementation of environmental and social indicators, and the reporting of monitoring and mitigation activities. The program's monitoring and mitigation activities will be conducted by CBRMT staff and implementing partners, and will be informed by USAID's Sector-Specific Guidelines for Africa, the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance, and the Mine Inspection Report.