OECD Forum on Responsible Minerals Supply Chains
The key message that Bettercoal took from the 10th Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains hosted by the OECD in Paris was the following: OECD Due Diligence for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas extends to all minerals, not just tin, tantalum and tungsten (the so-called 3Ts) and gold. Furthermore, sector initiatives such as Bettercoal are seen as important tools to help companies improve their supply chain due diligence, however, the individual company’s responsibility for due diligence cannot be outsourced.
Inevitably, much of the three-day Forum was given over to progress on responsible sourcing of the 3Ts and gold, with a focus on the DRC and Great Lakes Region. But amongst the 600 participants there was increasing discussion of other supply chains related to cobalt, coal, gemstones, copper and iron ore, platinum, diamonds and silver – to name a few.
Bettercoal participated in the main Forum in a Panel discussion entitled Applying the OECD Guidance in coal, cobalt, precious stones and other minerals. It was an opportunity to describe the establishment of Bettercoal, progress on mine assessments and the challenges that sector initiatives face. It was also a useful opportunity to compare and contrast different mineral supply chains and consider how one sector initiative can learn from others.
Bettercoal also participated in a pre-Forum meeting organised by the OECD to discuss the development of a Minerals Risk Handbook (MRH). The handbook intends to help companies implement step 1 and 2 of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, establish robust management systems and identify and assess risks in their supply chains. Bettercoal will contribute to the development of the Minerals Risk Handbook’s chapter on coal and is working with the Technical & Advisory Com
mittee to strengthen the Assurance Framework and align this with existing standards such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas where applicable.
For more information on the OECD Forum please visit the OECD website.
Updates on our collaboration and alignment with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance will be published on the Bettercoal website in due course.
