CSR Europe is set to deliver a Sustainability Atelier in Kolwezi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to foster the sustainable and responsible sourcing of raw materials needed in the production of batteries for Electric Vehicles (EV) locally. The event is co-organized with the Chamber of Mines of the Federation of Companies of Congo (FEC) in the framework of the project Extractives for Development, aimed at setting up local sustainability networks in the EV battery supply chain.
Building upon the stakeholder dialogue hosted in May this year, the Atelier will focus on the steps needed for the integration of the local workforce in the mining industry and ways to leverage community engagement.
On one hand, the skills or education level of the Congolese workforce does not meet the needs of large-scale mining (LSM) companies, which then resort to foreign workers. At the event, CSR Europe will foster collaboration between large-scale mining companies and their suppliers to invest in local skills development and training, while encouraging local entrepreneurship. On the other hand, the Congolese mining code obliges mining companies to submit a community engagement plan, also called ‘cahier des charges’. However, many mining companies have difficulties in setting up this plan and understanding the real needs of local communities, as it is often the case that the same community is involved in more than one concession. Working together on the ‘cahier des charges’ would therefore be a real opportunity for both the mining houses and the affected communities.
While in Kolwezi, CSR Europe and Drive Sustainability members will visit Chinese and Western-owned mining concessions and community development projects to gain a broader understanding of the local situation of all project partners.
For more information:
Extractives for Developments, Project Manager
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