Capacity Building for a Responsible Minerals Trade: Scaling-Up Due Diligence and Traceability Systems for Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten

The primary objective of CBRMT is to promote greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the sector by establishing additional due diligence and traceability systems at a minimum of twenty-five (25) tin, tungsten, and/or tantalum (3Ts) mine sites in the DRC. The project will establish an additional system for the 3Ts sector in the DRC, building on the investments and progress made to date. Key milestones achieved to date include finalizing the Better Sourcing Standard and other core documents and program structures, evaluation and selection of supply chain opportunities in South Kivu and Maniema, securing an MoU for a test export at Numbi, and establishing procedures for local monitoring, incident management, and communication. The project will be implemented over a 12-month period, beginning in March 2016 and extending to February 2017. The implementation plan is divided into four components: Component 1, Implementation of Due Diligence and Traceability Systems; Component 2, Strengthen Program Management and Governance; Component 3, Engagement and Capacity Building; and Component 4, Commercial Viability and Economic Sustainability. The project will engage with external stakeholders, including data and information sharing with local stakeholders, including titleholders, cooperatives, the DRC government, civil society, and Pact/iTSCi. The project will also establish a Better Sourcing Advisory Committee and increase engagement and outreach to MoM, midstream buyers and traders, and end users. The project will establish procedures for local monitoring, incident management, and communication, and deploy a local implementation partner. Extensive training on the principles of due diligence, local monitoring, and traceability will be provided, and the OECD conformance assessment will be launched. The project will also establish a detailed timeline for implementation, including key milestones and deadlines. The project will be implemented in three separate supply chains, including Numbi, Luntukulu, and a third supply chain to be identified. The project will establish a long-term solution for minerals certification that is cost-effective, sustainable, and adaptive to lessons learned and improvements. The project will promote greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the sector, and increase the scale, credibility, and sustainability of conflict-free mineral supply chains. The project will be implemented by Tetra Tech, under the Strengthening Tenure and Resource Rights (STARR) Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC), with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo, local stakeholders, and international organizations. The project will establish a Better Sourcing Standard and other core documents and program structures, and will provide extensive training on the principles of due diligence, local monitoring, and traceability. The project will also establish procedures for local monitoring, incident management, and communication, and will deploy a local implementation partner. The project will be implemented over a 12-month period, beginning in March 2016 and extending to February 2017. The project will establish a long-term solution for minerals certification that is cost-effective, sustainable, and adaptive to lessons learned and improvements. The project will promote greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the sector, and increase the scale, credibility, and sustainability of conflict-free mineral supply chains.