Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) and the commodity trader Mercuria Energy Trading SA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, March 24, regarding the formalization and development of the Kasulo artisanal mining site in Kolwezi, Lualaba province.
The partnership aims to establish Kasulo as a global reference model for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) by implementing what both parties call a “Gold Standard” for traceability, sustainability, and ethical cobalt sourcing.
Under the terms of the agreement, EGC and Mercuria commit to working jointly with local cooperatives, Gécamines, and central and provincial authorities to deploy a comprehensive framework covering:
- Worker health and safety
- Human rights
- Environmental management
- Full supply chain traceability
The initiative will align with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains, EGC’s Responsible Sourcing Standard, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
This partnership “reflects our commitment to building fully transparent and responsible critical mineral supply chains,” according to Kostas Bintas, Global Head of Metals & Minerals at Mercuria. “We intend to make Kasulo a global benchmark for artisanal mining, demonstrating that high standards of safety, traceability, and human rights are compatible with reliability and security of supply.”
“Structuring an Artisanal Mining Sector”
Éric Kalala, Director General of EGC, highlighted the structural impact of the agreement for the Congolese industry:
“This partnership represents another step forward in structuring a responsible artisanal mining sector in the DRC. Access to financing, made possible by the commitment of a leading global player, will secure production, sustainably improve the working conditions of artisanal miners, and build traceable value chains that create wealth for Congolese communities.”
The agreement also emphasizes community engagement and capacity building for local cooperatives, with the goal of achieving sustainable operations aligned with international best practices.
A subsidiary of Gécamines created by government decree in 2019, EGC holds the exclusive mandate to purchase, process, and market strategic minerals from artisanal mining in the DRC, including cobalt, coltan, and germanium. Mercuria is one of the world’s leading independent energy and commodities traders.
Elisha IRAGI for M&B Magazine