the ITSCI Programme for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains
an award-winning multi-stakeholder programme contributing to better governance, human rights & stability

About ITSCI

The ITSCI Programme:

  • monitors around 3,000 artisanal and semi-industrial mines
  • supports the responsible export of over 23,000 tonnes of 3T minerals each year
  • supports the practical implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
  • works in partnership with the governments of Burundi, the DRC, and Rwanda and with civil society organisations

Our impact

monitored mine sites across the Great Lakes Region

artisanal miners supported through ITSCI

average yearly export tonnage, in tonnes

average incidents recorded each year

The International Tin Supply Chain Initiative is a traceability and due diligence programme for the tin, tantalum, and tungsten (3T) minerals, currently implemented on the ground in the African Great Lakes region – Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Our commitment to responsible sourcing starts at grassroot level with an on-the-ground team continuously collecting, verifying, and reporting on OECD Annex II risks and beyond, including information on mining activities, community developments, and political and security situations.

As a facilitation initiative Fully Aligned with the OECD Guidance, we support companies with their due diligence responsibilities. One of our core activity is to deliver training and tools to multiple stakeholders at all levels of the supply chain, and one of our key strengths lies in acting as a convening force and instrument of mediation to support risk mitigation and resolution. Through trusted relationships built with local governments, state services and security forces, including high-ranking officials, our recommendations are both heard and acted upon, leading to increased accountability and tangible actions by these services to mitigate risks.

By making available unique and credible first-hand information, we support businesses to make informed decisions to fulfil their due diligence, and support government authorities and civil society towards progressive improvement and good governance in mining.

ITSCI supports member companies to implement due diligence by working with governments and civil society and providing expert field, data, risk management and auditing teams.

ITSCI’s purpose is to create responsible mineral supply chains that avoid contributing to conflict, human rights abuses, or other risks such as bribery, currently in central Africa.

Since piloting in 2010, ITSCI rapidly scaled up and adapted to small and larger scale mining areas in four countries, now monitoring around 3,000 sites and recording around 1,800 supply chain risks each year.

“ITSCI has made remarkable progress and is the only on-the-ground traceability and due diligence programme that has to date been able to demonstrate a clear impact on mineral production and exports” OECD Due Diligence Implementation Report, April 2016

Supporting Mining Communities

National and local government 

  • Increased formalisation of artisanal and small mining
  • Improved authority and control of mining sector
  • Training and advice for due diligence monitoring
  • Improved data and potential tax collection

Local communities 

  • Opportunity to report and resolve risks
  • Increased security, support and income
  • Share of taxes for infrastructure and projects
Stories from the field

Become an ITSCI Member

Local miners, traders and exporters
 

  • Improved security and reduced corruption
  • Economic and social development
  • Reduced risk and potential investment

Traders and smelters 

  • Reliable information from the field
  • Increased access to consistent supplies
  • Reduced reputational and financial risk

Downstream companies

  • Information for Dodd Frank & other compliance
  • Reduced reputational risk
  • Opportunity to make a difference ‘beyond conflict’
More information on ITSCI membership

News

“Conflict-free” tags help revive Congo minerals trade

Nov 12, 2012

According to Reuters, the conflict-free tin initiative recently launched in Kalimbi mine, South Kivu has already produced benefits to the local mine community. During the suspension in exports, some mining carried on but local prices collapsed by a factor of 6 to less...

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