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Better System. Better Approach. Better Lives.

Better Mining publishes inaugural all minerals Impact Report following latest OECD 5 Step Report on 3T.

July 2022. Better Mining is marking a year of growth across the artisanal mining sector in the Great Lakes region. We have expanded to 5 additional mine sites, now covering approximately 20% of the accessible ASM sites in the DRC cobalt-copper sector, as well as reaching an industrially relevant portion of sites in the conflict minerals sector, while serving over 55,000 miners on the ground.

In line with this landmark moment, we are proud to have published our inaugural Impact Report, applying a case study approach to charting the positive ESG impact Better Mining is having. Real results and real progress from cobalt to gold to tin. Our impact case studies for the 2021 report focus on three segments:

First, Improving Conditions on ASM Sites, specifically highlighting our successes in Fighting Child Labour, Protecting and Expanding Women’s Rights, and Improving Human Rights Conditions.
Second, Advancing Inclusion and Transparency through Digitalisation, elaborating on our progress in ASM Inclusion through Digitalization and Developing a Version of the Battery Passport, as well as in expanding Material Control through Digital Product Traceability Implementation.
Third, Building Local Capacity for Better Practices, explaining our advances on Driving Responsible Practices Adoption by ASM Mining Cooperatives and on Building the Capacity of Host Government and State Services.

A Data-driven approach to reporting Our success is fully data driven. From April 2021 to March 2022, Better Mining identified 2048 incidents and 1098 corrective actions had been recommended since the beginning of the program, with 888 implemented or in progress. A very strong 81% implementation success rate. These improvement actions, which are implemented by local stakeholders, drive direct results.

Supporting SEC reporting and Conflict Minerals legislation covered corporations The 2021 Impact Report builds and expands on the newly published 2nd Better Mining OECD Due Diligence Guidance Step 5 Report, which is designed to be a valuable resource for smelters or refiners purchasing from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAS), as well as for SEC and conflict minerals legislation reporting corporations. While the OECD report solely focusses on tin, tantalum, and tungsten (3T), the new Impact Report spans Better Mining’s entire operations – offering a comprehensive picture of artisanal mining and our program’s progress across ESG risk areas.

Closing down space for bad practice, creating space for positive impact Through our on-site presence and the deployment of technology to all aspects of our work, we have helped to significantly expand and improve previously purely human-led processes that monitor Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards at artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sites.

Better Mining embeds transparency and accountability on artisanal mine sites, closing down the space for bad actors and bad practice. Our program also delivers the data needed to make more and better development interventions in the ASM sector – positively impacting people and planet.

Partnering for positive change The Impact Report also outlines our growing collaborations with a range of INGO, corporate and government partners including, but not limited to UNICEF, GIZ and Global Communities.

Better Mining Impact Report 2022

Better Mining Impact Report

Please fill in to view and download the Better Mining OECD Report 2021 in English.
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Please fill in to view and download the Better Mining OECD Report 2021 in French.
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OECD Due Diligence Guidance Annex II Risks

OECD Due Diligence Guidance Step 5 Report

Please fill in to view and download the Better Mining OECD Report 2021 in English.
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Please fill in to view and download the Better Mining OECD Report 2021 in French.
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There are several ways your company or organisation can get involved in the Better Mining Program.
Read more about Better Mining here.

For more information, please contact RCS Global’s Communications Team at [email protected]