Capacity Building for Responsible Minerals Trade (CBRMT) Quarterly Progress Report, July-September 2014

The program is implemented by Tetra Tech under the Strengthening Tenure and Resource Rights (STARR) Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program's objectives include improving the legal and policy framework for responsible minerals trade, strengthening the capacity of key actors, and scaling up traceability schemes. To achieve these objectives, the program has implemented several activities, including reviewing the DRC mining code, conducting field scoping exercises and roundtable meetings, and providing technical assistance to policymakers and other key actors. The program has also assessed and scaled up traceability schemes for tin, tungsten, and tantalum, as well as gold. The assessments have identified the efficacy and costs of different traceability schemes, and a cost-effective scaling-up plan has been developed for each of these minerals. The program has also strengthened the capacity of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) through the implementation of the Independent Mineral Chain Auditor (IMCA) and the recruitment and training of IMCA staff. In addition to these activities, the program has collaborated with various stakeholders, including PROMINES, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), GIZ, and private sector actors and civil society. The program has also implemented cross-cutting activities, including communications and outreach, gender, monitoring and evaluation, environmental impact and mitigation, and management and operations. The program has made significant progress in improving the legal and policy framework for responsible minerals trade in the DRC. The review of the DRC mining code has identified areas for improvement, and the program has provided technical assistance to policymakers and other key actors to strengthen their capacity. The program has also scaled up traceability schemes for tin, tungsten, and tantalum, as well as gold, and has strengthened the capacity of the ICGLR. The program's achievements include the development of a cost-effective scaling-up plan for each of the minerals, the recruitment and training of IMCA staff, and the implementation of third-party audits. The program has also established a project coordination group to ensure effective coordination and collaboration among stakeholders. The program's next steps include continuing to strengthen the capacity of key actors, scaling up traceability schemes, and implementing cross-cutting activities. The program will also continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and collaboration. The program's geographic focus is the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the program's timeframes are quarterly, with the current report covering the period from July to September 2014. The program's recommendations include continuing to strengthen the capacity of key actors, scaling up traceability schemes, and implementing cross-cutting activities. The program's geographic focus is the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the program's timeframes are quarterly, with the current report covering the period from July to September 2014.