democratic republic of congo

 MINES TO MARKETS
democratic
republic of congo
Pact in Country
In DRC, Pact contributes to improving the lives of mining communities and strengthening the capacity of miners,
civil society, companies and government agents and institutions. A dedicated partner of the DRC government and
mining communities since 2003, Pact has a unique track record in delivering impactful social and economic
development programs in the mining sector in Katanga, Maniema, the Kivus, the Kasais and Orientale provinces,
working in copper, cobalt, tin, tantalum, tungsten, diamonds, construction materials and gold.
Over the last 12 years we have implemented more than 20 mining-related projects with funding from bilateral and
multilateral donors (e.g., U.S. Agency for International Development, European Union, Dutch Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, U.S. Department of State, World Bank, South African Department of Trade and Industry, UK Department for
International Development, UN Common Fund for Commodities, International Finance Corporation) as well as the
mining industry (e.g., the international tin association – ITRI, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Anvil Mining, Freeport McMoRan
and others) and companies in the mineral supply chain (e.g., Boeing, Microsoft, General Electric, Qualcomm).
What We Do
Strengthening small scale and artisanal mining (ASM) — ASM employs more than a million
people in the DRC, making it essential for local economies and livelihoods. Pact believes that wellmanaged, legal, responsible ASM can allow Congolese communities to thrive and have the potential for a
better future. Since 2010, with local partners ARDERI and BEPAT, Pact has led monitoring, training
and reporting activities for the ITRI Tin Supply Initiative, known as iTSCi. iTSCi is the region’s only
pact 1828 L street nw • suite 300 • washington, dc 20036 • 202.466.5666 • pactworld.org • info@pactworld.org learn more at pactworld.org
internationally accepted, operational due diligence mechanism and mineral traceability system to monitor tin,
tantalum and tungsten, known as the ‘3Ts’. The system allows minerals to access the international market as ‘conflictfree’. In 2015, more than 40,000 Congolese miners made a living working in more than 400 mines approved by the
iTSCi system where they work free from interference by armed groups and safe from human rights abuses. More than
88 DRC companies have joined the system as full or provisional members, all adhering to international standards for
supply chain management. The system is implemented in close collaboration with mining authorities, local companies
and civil society. Pact provides extensive formal and on-the-job training to all stakeholders involved.
Pact has also carried out many other projects aimed at improving the ASM sector including: livelihood strengthening
and market linkages; improving transparency in ASM taxation; and building positive relations between large-scale,
industrial mining companies and ASM. We have created dedicated forums for multi-stakeholder discussion of ASM
issues and mechanisms to ensure locally driven conflict resolution. 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
reduce accidents in mines. It will be rolled out in DRC through our project with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Working with the formal mining sector – Pact has worked extensively as a social development partner with the
large-scale mining sector. Directly and with USAID through a Global Development Alliance in Katanga, Pact has
provided support to companies to ensure the appropriateness and sustainability of their social interventions. We have
also assisted companies in implementing the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights to ensure that their
security planning and engagement with private and public security is respectful of human rights.
Partnership with Mining Ministry and services – Pact works in close partnership with DRC mining services. We
are currently working with the Government and the World Bank through the PROMINES project to develop the DRC
National Strategy for ASM and build the capacity of government service for ASM (SAESSCAM). This project builds on
an extensive engagement portfolio, including projects to communicate key messages to ASM on legal issues such as
dissemination of the DRC Mining Code. For more than a decade, Pact has supported the Government in activities such
as the creation of legal ASM areas, data management and technical training.
Improving economic resources for miners – WORTH, Pact’s award-winning program to develop women and
men’s literacy, banking and business development skills, gives participants the tools they need to generate
sustainable incomes. Pact conducted a pilot project to implement WORTH in gold-mining communities in Ituri,
DRC, and in 2015, with funding from the Dutch, Pact is developing a ‘WORTH for Miners’ curriculum tailored to the
ASM context. The curriculum will deliver economic strengthening combined with technical training and health and
safety messaging, as well as address social issues in the ASM sector.
Vulnerable children — Since 2013, Pact has focused on addressing child labor in the mining sector. With support
from GE, Pact conducted a thorough study to understand the various factors that attract children to mines. With
funding from Microsoft and Boeing, Pact is implementing a pilot project in Manono, Katanga that includes awarenessraising campaigns on children’s rights using local outreach committees, radio programming and local businesses, and
increasing the capacity of caregivers to made decisions about children’s well-being. We have already reached more than
1,300 children through ‘positive parenting’ training, youth forums, and other support mechanisms.
Key accomplishments 2014-2015
40,000 miners make a living working in mines
free from human rights abuses or armed group
presence
401 conflict-free tin, tantalum and tungsten
mine sites
88 local businesses conform with OECD
standards
20 local multi-stakeholders committees trained
and empowered to monitor conflict-free mining
23 radio programs to raise awareness on
children’s rights
750 government agents trained on all aspects
of due diligence and mineral traceability
For More Information
Yves Bawa
Country Director
ybawa@pactworld.org
pact Hélène Rodriguez Sherman
Senior Program Officer
hsherman@pactworld.org
Pact is an international, nonprofit organization
with forty years of experience. Our vision is a
world where those who are poor and
marginalized exercise their voice, build their own
solutions, and take ownership over their future.
1828 L street nw • suite 300 • washington, dc 20036 • 202.466.5666 • pactworld.org • info@pactworld.org October 2015