In the DRC, ASM miners are organized into cooperatives. These cooperatives play an important role in supporting their members, while leaders are expected to represent and protect the miners’ interests. Through its monopoly purchasing model, EGC can help strengthen transparency regarding both the cooperatives involved and the mine sites from which the ore originates. However, additional partners are needed to make the system work effectively across the full supply chain.

The government is a key actor in this context. In the DRC, measures such as the recent cobalt export ban and the subsequent export quota system have reinforced regulatory oversight and brought greater transparency to production and trade flows.

Local communities are key stakeholders in ASM operations. Given that many miners originate from the communities surrounding mine sites, the relationship between mining activities and local community dynamics is especially important. Community perspectives, grievances, and expectations can strongly influence operational conditions and can act as powerful drivers for improved practices at mine level.

Processing facilities are essential because the ore must be processed before it can be sold. Close coordination with these facilities is necessary to ensure traceability is maintained and that material is not unaccounted for after leaving the mine site. Buyers are also critical. Those willing to source from ASM cooperatives can help build trust and create incentives for change. Buyers that are able to provide pre-financing can also supply the capital needed to transform ASM operations into safer and more responsible ones, aligned with international standards.

Researchers have an important role to play by contributing scientific analysis, technical expertise, and evidence-based recommendations. Local NGOs are also essential, as they can help identify practical and socially responsible solutions to complex challenges. For example, instead of simply excluding individuals from mine sites where operations may be unsuitable, and in doing so shifting the problem elsewhere, NGOs can help develop alternative approaches that protect their wellbeing and livelihoods.

Collaboration among all partners and stakeholders is critical to achieving meaningful change. It helps ensure that solutions are holistic and sustainable, rather than simply removing problems from mine sites and shifting them elsewhere.

There are several important elements required to make the project a success. One of the first is to establish a baseline assessment and define a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be tracked over time. The formalization project should lead to measurable improvements against these indicators. However, because record-keeping is currently limited, some KPIs, such as the number of accidents, may initially appear to worsen as reporting becomes more accurate and systematic.

Over time, the formalization project is expected to improve performance by making mining practices safer and more responsible. This can be achieved through measures such as the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), appropriate training, the transition to safer operating practices, and other operational improvements. Continuous monitoring, alongside effective grievance collection and remediation systems, will also be essential. Standards should progressively improve in order to align with international expectations, recognizing that meaningful change must happen step by step.

Independent audits should also be built into the process to provide an external perspective on progress and challenges. Finally, the project should include a responsible exit strategy to ensure that cooperatives are adequately equipped to continue responsible sourcing practices and self-finance their maintenance over the long term.