Partners

The Ministry of Mines and ITRI have signed in 2010 a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative (iTSCi). Government agents are the ones implementing the bag and tag system, with the support of Pact and ITRI. Also, the Ministry of Mines is the entity responsible for validating new mine sites. The validation of mine sites is only possible following their qualification as “green” sites by a joint team encompassing the government, iTSCi, BGR, and IOM. The Ministry resorts to a three colors validation system – green, yellow, and red – in compliance with criteria set by the OECD Due Diligence Guide and the ICRGL regarding security and social situation. Only minerals coming from green validated sites and tagged can be legally exported from the DRC.

SAESSCAM (Service for Assistance and Organisation of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining) is the government agency dedicated to overseeing and improving artisanal and small scale mining in the country. At the mine sites, SAESSCAM agents are responsible for tagging the minerals with iTSCi mine tags and for recording the data on iTSCi log books or using electronic devices. With funding from the PROMINES project, Pact aims to develop the DRC National Strategy for ASM and reinforce the capacities of SAESSCAM agents.

The PROMINES project is funded by the World Bank. Its main objectives are to enhance good governance in the mining sector and to increase the contribution of the mining sector to the country’s economic growth and sustainable development at the local, provincial, and national level. The PROMINES project is supporting the articulation of appropriate policy and building of essential capacity to manage the artisanal mining sector, as well as communicating key messages to ASM on legal issues such as dissemination of the DRC Mining Code. PROMINES has helped miners as well as the iTSCi programme by supplying motorbikes and other essential monitoring equipment such as GPS instruments and computers, which have enabled regular visits to the most remote sites.

The CEEC – Centre for Evaluation, Expertise and Certification – is the government’s mineral export certification authority. The CEEC agents belong to the government’s agents implementing he iTSCi programme in the ground. The CEEC’s mission consists, among others, in:

  • analysing mineral samples;
  • ensuring mineral traceability from processors exporters to the export point by recording iTSCi tags on iTSCi export log books; 
  • delivering Certificates of Origin necessary for processors/exporters to export their minerals.

The Congolese Business Federation FEC is a local organization of businesses and companies aiming to develop further the interests of local companies and businesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

ARDERI – Association pour le Développement Régional Intégré – is a local NGO working in local development in the DRC. ARDERI is an implementing partner of the iTSCi programme in the provinces of Katanga and Maniema.

In Rwanda, the mining sector is governed by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA). MINIRENA uses the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority, in particular the Geology and Mines Department (RNRA/GMD) to enforce and regulate the sector. Rwanda was the first country in the Great Lakes region to commit to large- scale implementation of iTSCi. Starting in December 2010, the country quickly moved to have all of its 3Ts mines covered by the iTSCi system. Similar to the DRC and Burundi, iTSCi operates under memorandums of understanding with the governments of Rwanda. The bag and tag system is implemented by state agents with the support of Pact and ITRI.

In Burundi, the Ministry of Energy and Mines has signed a memorandum of understanding with ITRI for the implementation of the iTSCi system. Pact supports the governments of the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi in the daily management of mineral traceability. Pact provides training and ongoing support to government agents who are active at three major points along the domestic supply chain: the mine and washing/processing point, the intermediate trading point and the point of export.

Pact is working together with the World Bank in the implementation of several projects. In the DRC, Pact and the World Bank, through the PROMINES project, are supporting the government in developing a national policy and action plan for artisanal mining, as well as building the capacity of government agents to manage the sector. In Burundi, Pact partners with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the World Bank. They are working together to develop an approach to Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) implementation given the predominance of the artisanal and small scale mining sector in the country. The goal is to improve governance in the extractive industry and revenue transparency so the ASM sector better contributes to the national economy.

Qualcomm Inc. is an American global semiconductor company that designs and markets wireless telecommunications products and services. In 2015 and 2016, with funding from Qualcomm, Pact is developing an occupational safety and health curriculum tailored for artisanal miners to improve safety and working conditions and to reduce accidents in mines. The curriculum, which will be rolled out in DRC, will integrate with PROMINES project to build capacity of DRC government agents (SAESSCAM) to better manage the ASM sector.

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions. With funding from Boeing and Microsoft, Pact has launched in 2015 a pilot project in the Katanga province, DRC, called “Watoto Inje Ya Mungoti – Children out of mining”. The overall objective is to reduce the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) in mines to comply with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. The project includes awareness campaign on children’s rights and the roles of all stakeholders using local outreach committees; as well as positive parenting training and community responsibility for child welfare.

BEPAT – Bureau d’Elaboration des Projets et d’Application Technique – is a Congolese NGO working in mining and construction. BEPAT is an implementing partner of the iTSCi programme in North and South Kivu.