The International Tin Association (ITA) is following with extreme concern the worsening security situation in the eastern Provinces of the DRC; North Kivu and South Kivu. We deplore the actions of the non-state armed group M23 and associated parties of the Alliance Fleuve Congo which have driven a growing and severe humanitarian crisis among local communities.
The African Great Lakes Region (GLR), including the DRC and Rwanda, is a tin mining area and we are fully aware that the localised presence of M23 creates human rights and conflict-related risks and impacts the mineral sector. We also note that many areas of the DRC, are not controlled by M23 and the risks and impacts continue to vary across the Great Lakes Region. To-date, M23 is not in control of all parts of North and South Kivu, nor in the other tin mining Provinces of Maniema, Haut-Katanga, Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, Tanganyika and Tshopo.
ITA participated in the development of and fully supports the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. We have worked continuously for 15 years to encourage the practical implementation of that Guidance by companies in the tin supply chain and have incorporated clear due diligence expectations into all ITA standards and programmes relevant to our members.
In alignment with the OECD Guidance, we consider that being responsible means staying engaged whenever possible to support mining communities in challenging areas. Continuing trade in areas under control of non-state armed groups is not a responsible option, but, in other areas, it is important that all stakeholders avoid calling for generalised dis-engagement and embargo which only serves to further harm populations already facing crisis.
ITA has a unique and in-depth understanding of the Great Lakes Region from our role in the ITSCI Programme. ITSCI has teams on the ground, even in times of conflict, and provides regular updates on local situations and the changing risks to tin, tantalum and tungsten supply chains. The ITSCI website can be referred to as a reliable source of information on the current situation and on-going developments. There are complex background dynamics behind the conflict, which are understood, evaluated and considered by experienced ITSCI teams to ensure the best information on real-life events is available. We regret that in M23 areas some ITSCI activity has had to be suspended, and, that in other areas state-armed group taxation, fraud and other risks are high, nevertheless good faith and focused due diligence efforts remain the most responsible way forward for mineral supply chains.
The Standard of Tin Code 7.3 on Responsible Sourcing is 100% aligned with the OECD Guidance, with assurance currently being rolled-out. The ITSCI Programme is Fully Aligned with the OECD Guidance. We urge all companies and other stakeholders to reinforce and strengthen actions that together will deliver responsible supply chains, including the constructive dialogue needed for effective risk management and resolution of disputes.
ITA contact points, including for sustainability or markets information, are available on our webpage
