CMOC and IXM join RCS Global Group’s Better Mining program

The duo joins a growing list of businesses who have publicly committed to support the ground-breaking mineral agnostic upstream assurance and impact program. Implemented by the RCS Global Group, the program is focussed on artisanal and small scale mining (ASM).

An industry wide program, Better Mining is active across 27 cobalt, copper and 3TG ASM mine sites, with replicability to mica and other ASM mined materials worldwide. The program monitors and supports the improvement of conditions on and around ASM sites through its world-first data platform.

The demonstrable and continuous improvement the program generates in an otherwise challenging sector has resulted in a growing list of global corporations at all tiers of the global raw material value chain supporting Better Mining, including several major global ICT and auto brands like Volvo Cars and Intel.

In 2020 alone, Better Mining generated data on 1000+ incidents across seven risk areas, and subsequently delivered 480 corrective action recommendations. Of these 480 corrective actions, 72% have either been implemented or are in the process of being implemented.

The program is expanding at pace in collaboration with the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), the over 400 companies’ strong organisation addressing responsible mineral sourcing issues in various industries’ global supply chains.

As an official Better Mining supporter, CMOC will have access to Better Mining’s world-first technology enabled ASM data streams. These deliver product traceability and on-site monitoring data across the ASM sites covered by the program. CMOC will also have the opportunity to quickly scale up its engagement with the program in the future and adopt its use for proactive risk management and impact generation at its industrial mine sites.

Julie Liang, Director of CMOC’s Sustainability Executive Committee, comments:

“As a key actor in the global mining sector, CMOC is committed to ensuring all mineral production meets the highest standards.

“As a large industrial miner that maintains strict product control and custody procedures, ASM sits outside of our own cobalt supply chain but we recognise that ASM, and those communities reliant on it, should not be neglected. CMOC is committed to supporting risk mitigation initiatives that actively improve conditions for local communities, including those in and around ASM sites, and Better Mining has proven that it is having a real impact in this space. We are proud to be supporting this work.”

Robert Sidders, Head of Specialty Metals at IXM:

“For IXM, joining Better Mining offers an opportunity to identify and monitor risks in the mineral supply chain while supporting an initiative that has a proven impact on conditions in the sector.

“All sectors of the market have a responsibility to improve conditions in our industry and we look forward to collaborating with the other supporters of Better Mining in scaling the initiative’s footprint further.”

Ferdinand Maubrey, Managing Director at RCS Global Group:

“Better Mining is at a hugely exciting time in its expansion and we are delighted to welcome CMOC and IXM to our fast-growing group of supporters. As a major global actor in the metals mining and trading sector, CMOC’s decision to join as a supporter is another significant sign of the growing importance of Better Mining and the momentum behind the program’s expansion.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/22042021/cmoc-and-ixm-join-rcs-global-groups-better-mining-program/