Responsible Sourcing

Responsible Sourcing

Responsible sourcing of minerals is critical for corporate decision-makers in general management, procurement, and sustainability to build resilient supply chains. By anticipating trends in mineral supply and adapting management systems, companies can effectively navigate the complex landscape of environmental and human rights regulations, meet investor expectations, secure financial resources, and maintain business continuity.

For governments in both, producing and importing countries, responsible sourcing is a key factor in balancing economic growth with ethical, environmental, and social responsibility. This approach ensures long-term benefits for communities, improving conditions in mining areas and along mineral supply chains. It includes considerations of human rights protection, environmental sustainability, economic stability, geopolitical security and compliance with international standards. International organisations have therefore included the topic in their programming to support economic development of mineral-rich countries in the global south.

Projekt-Consult helps to:

• Develop and implement effective responsible sourcing approaches, adapted to specific ESG risks and supply chain analyses, capitalising on existing initiatives and standards.
• Develop policy and regulatory frameworks and establish an enabling environment for responsible mineral sourcing.

We are pioneers in responsible minerals sourcing - driven by technical knowledge and expertise in the mining sector.

Our services include:

Mineral supply chain risk-based due diligence: Projekt-Consult assists companies in implementing due diligence frameworks to effectively assess and address actual and potential negative impacts in their operations, mineral supply chains and business relationships. Among other examples, Projekt-Consult has worked with various OEMs to design an on-the-ground project to prevent and mitigate key risks associated with the mining and processing of a specific mineral in a specific country. We have also developed a methodology for measuring the effectiveness and impact of human rights due diligence efforts and provided guidance on its application.

Integration of ESG criteria in purchasing processes: We support private and public purchasing departments with the analysis of material risks to support informed decision-making and ensure legal compliance, and the development of tailored, effective risk response measures, emphasising tracking and impact assessment through a stakeholder-inclusive approach. For example, in a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, we provided valuable support to German municipalities in mapping supply chains, conducting risk analyses and embedding sustainability considerations into the procurement processes for municipal commercial vehicles.

Conduct ESG training at the mine level:  Projekt-Consult has an extensive track record in providing capacity-building measures that are tailored to the specific needs, skill levels, and unique conditions of the target groups, especially in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). These programmes encompass both technical competencies and business and management skills development. In more than 50 countries our expert teams have been training miners, mine managers, and mining associations in various practical and more theoretical ESG subjects, including optimised and environmentally clean mining and processing techniques, occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental impact awareness, human rights, trade chain from mine to market, operational management, due diligence & responsible mining and sourcing practice. 

Conduct mine site audits: Projekt-Consult’s experts have conducted numerous independent third-party audits, particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). These audits evaluate the alignment of mining operations with specific and global standards and best practices for responsible mining. They also provide tailored recommendations to help companies monitor and ensure compliance. Key issues assessed include traceability, legality and responsibility, social and labour standards, OHS, community relations, environmental management and closure planning. Through its work, Projekt-Consult has also contributed to the development of mining standards and certifications. Notably, we have supported the German Geological Survey (BGR) in developing the Certified Trading Chains (CTC) standardfor 3TG (tantalum, tin, tungsten, gold) minerals in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This certification has since become a national standard for conflict minerals in the DRC.

Responsible sourcing policies and legislation: Projekt-Consult has supported and advised more than 50 mining countries in the development of appropriate strategic, policy and regulatory frameworks, thereby improving the conditions for responsible mineral production and contributing to the long-term security and sustainability of the mineral sectors. For example, Projekt-Consult successfully assisted the governments of Uzbekistan and Ukraine in drafting and optimising theirsubsoil legislation , to develop a more competitive and responsible mining sector.

Setting standards for mining and mineral sourcing: Projekt-Consult has been participating in a multitude of international policy fora for developing standards and guidelines for responsible mining and sourcing. Our staff has advised the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on child labour in mining and participated in the working group of the OECD for drafting the Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas.

Contact

Projekt-Consult GmbH
Phone: +49 40 603 06 740
E-mail: info@projekt-consult.de

Photo header: © Lenin Quevedo