Introducing the Cobalt Industry Responsible Assessment Framework (CIRAF)

The Cobalt Institute (CI) is pleased to announce further progress in the Cobalt Industry Responsible Assessment Framework (CIRAF). This is the latest stage in the on-going process of establishing CIRAF within the cobalt sector.

The structure, parameters and scope of CIRAF have now been agreed by the Cobalt Institute members, and the project has now reached pilot phase. Pilot projects are currently underway with members to enhance the value of the framework and ensure its effectiveness.

What is CIRAF

Responsible and sustainable mining practices have been at the top of the agenda for many large-scale mining companies (LSM) since the late 1990’s.

Building on this commitment, the Cobalt Institute has been working with its members since early 2017 to develop the Cobalt Industry Responsible Assessment Framework (CIRAF). The CIRAF project seeks to:

• Identify material issues and risks within the cobalt sector from CI members, as well as their customers;
• Provide a good practice based framework that will provide guidance to members on how to assess core issue areas and report on existing responses with a degree of flexibility that is most appropriate for their operations;
• Ensure the framework is credible, well-managed and accepted by stakeholders.

Consolidating action, delivering sustainability

Overall, CIRAF will consolidate action being taken by companies across the industry to respond to increasing interest from civil society, the media, the cobalt market, and consumers in responsible sourcing and create a synthesized and unified approach towards sustainable and ethical production.

The CIRAF will cover the full spectrum of responsible mining focus areas including environmental stewardship, occupational health and safety, and human rights.

The CIRAF will also create a platform for the cobalt industry to share good practice in responsible sourcing and allow external stakeholders to follow the progress being made across the priority issue areas identified by the framework.

 

Assessment and reporting

Participants will undergo self-assessment, based on the principles set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Sourcing from Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD DDG).

Member self-assessments also undergo verification by a credible mechanism and participants will be required to publish summaries of their results.

For further information or to speak to a CIRAF representative: the Cobalt Industry Responsible Assessment Framework (Download PDF)