Identify the Source of Your Cobalt & Mica
The Cobalt and Mica used in your products are traced to the smelter of origin with our automated technology and human-to-human supplier engagement. The collected smelter data is verified against our internal database as well as various publicly available data sources. Red flags are raised where missing or inconsistent data is identified. As a result, you’ll be able to assess your suppliers’ responses and pinpoint areas of risk in your supply chain that lead to unethically sourced Extended Minerals.
Upload Your Suppliers to Our Platform
Discover Red Flags with Unique Supplier Risk Scores
Collect Real-Time Data for Due Diligence Reporting
Deploy Risk Management Strategies
Are There Regulations on Cobalt?
Current estimates show that 50 percent or more of the world’s Cobalt production derives from mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Substandard Cobalt mining conditions in the Congo have been tied to deaths, human rights abuses, and a wide variety of unethical sourcing practices. Although Cobalt is not yet officially tied to regulations, many governments have initiated investigations and imposed fines on companies for using raw materials that are tied to human rights violations.
Know Where Your Mica is Coming From
Mica is found in cosmetics, electrical products like toasters, or hair-dryers, and has become a resource of choice in electronics, such as drones, phones, high-res cameras, and equipment that requires important data storage capacity. While there are many Mica mines that are operating lawfully, many others are not. Unsafe working conditions, including exploited and child labor, plague Mica mines and cause 10 to 20 deaths every month.
Gain Visibility with the Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT)
Supply Chain Mapping
Locate and identify mines and processing facilities
Benchmarking
Monitor supplier practices and encourage implementation of a continuous improvement process
Risk Assessment
Identify and monitor risks with a comprehensive data analysis
Traceability
Accurately report on the origin of your Cobalt and Mica
The Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT)
The Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) offers a survey framework in the form of a questionnaire to send down to value chain partners. The information to gather includes questions regarding the production process, the origin of Cobalt and Mica, and the identity of refiners/processors.
The Extended Minerals Reporting Template is a voluntary initiative a business may use to disclose their Cobalt and Mica sourcing due diligence efforts, in their annual reports or on their website. It is by no means a regulatory requirement. To date, the EMRT focuses on Cobalt and natural Mica supply chains and is meant to be used as a due diligence tool to ensure responsible sourcing.
What are the Effects of Unregulated Minerals Mining?
Demand for Cobalt and Mica has been at a steady increase, and mines are stepping up production. However, this increased production comes with an uptick in human rights violations and dismissed safety precautions.
Thousands of women and children as young as 4 years old are exploited to keep labor costs close to nothing. Without equipment, mining is performed by hand. Miners face danger and health hazards daily and suffer life-threatening injuries and death.
Automate Your Extended Minerals Reporting
Our Extended Minerals reporting program tracks the origin of the Cobalt and Mica in your products to the smelter. We follow and are in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence and the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) to provide real-time data and mitigate risks. Our 24/7 multilingual supplier support team makes it easy for your suppliers to provide the documentation needed and actively increases response rate.
Tracing the source of your Cobalt & Mica doesn't have to be difficult. We're here to help.