Summit on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains Kicks Off in Kigali

Delegates have convened in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss the highly controversial mineral trade in the great lakes region. The sixth Summit on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains is organized by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), in partnership with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the UN Group of Experts on DRC. Also in attendance at the summit are international watchdogs, Global Witness and the Enough Project who use the platform to debate and listen to those involved freely.

Participants will also have the opportunity to understand Rwanda’s mining sector better by interacting first hand with people involved in implementing international guidelines. They will be able to visit mining sites where they can see for them selfs the steps taken in the due diligence process as well as dispelling the rumors that Rwanda is involved in illegal trade. 

OECD Chairperson, Roel Nieuwenkamp, explained that the most important message about due diligence in mineral supply chains is that its not a zero tolerance approach and mistakes can be made since it is risk based.  He explained that it is a gradual continuous learning process that focuses on improving the situation on the ground.

If anyone wants to learn more about the due diligence process, they can read some of Source intelligence’s white papers on product filtering and RCOI. These explain what US companies need to do to preform their due diligence to aid the situation on the ground.

To read the white papers click HERE