Join the Fair Cobalt Alliance

FCA members recognise the potential for artisanal and small-scale mining operations to be a legitimate economic activity contributing to local development and an important direct or indirect livelihood for thousands of community members in the DR Congo (DRC). Acknowledging the challenges that artisanal miners face, the FCA promotes the continuous improvement of working conditions and environmental management practices at artisanal and small-scale mining operations. Taking a progressive approach allows us to be inclusive of vulnerable stakeholders, without compromising on the final goal of achieving best practice.

For the FCA to invest in action on the ground, we rely on securing sufficient funding. Given the scale of the challenges at hand and the complexity of operating a business in the DRC, we have set ourselves ambitious fundraising targets.

Our goal is to have actors along the supply chain make a direct contribution based on their relationship with and dependency on cobalt as well as the size of their operations. To remain inclusive to organisations across the supply chain, we’ve developed a tiered contribution system specifying minimum annual contribution levels, allowing for the participation of start-ups, SMEs, well-established companies, NGOs, multinationals and industry associations alike. Some companies might be big, but only use a small amount of cobalt in their products, others might depend entirely on cobalt.

Each FCA member designates a contact person, allocating sufficient resources and time for this person to act as an FCA representative. They will fulfil the organisation’s commitments, participate in FCA Member meetings or working groups, and help promote the FCA among suppliers and customers as appropriate. The member will inform the FCA of changes in staff and designate a contact person well in advance of any such changes.

The FCA’s goal is to transform mining communities in the DRC through the eradication of child labour at artisanal and small-scale mining operations, protect children’s rights in the community, promote the generation of alternative livelihoods for youth and adults and grow the supply and availability of cobalt from responsibly managed artisanal and small-scale mining sites. To accomplish this, the FCA requires supply chain-wide support of its programme, both financially as well as programmatically.

By promoting the FCA among industry peers, customers and suppliers, FCA members can shape public discourse around constructive artisanal and small-scale mining engagement and the sustainable and economic development of mining communities. It can help recruit the backing and resources needed to make fair cobalt the default in the region, rather than the exception.

As a member of the FCA you will receive regular progress and impact reporting, be able to attend our quarterly member meetings, be invited to participate in relevant FCA working groups and help shape the FCA’s approach and programme by serving on our Steering Committee.

Over time, the FCA aims to facilitate sourcing of fair artisanal and small-scale mining cobalt for interested parties.