There has been some form of The Cobalt Development Institute in existence since 1957. Formed in 1982, the present Institute is a non-profit international association comprised of producers, users and traders of cobalt with the objectives to:
- Promoting the responsible use of cobalt in all forms
- Consulting organisations, agencies and governments for research or investigations on all matters concerning cobalt
- Providing members with topical information on all cobalt matters including health & safety and environmental legislation plus regulatory affairs possibly affecting their interests
- Promoting co-operation between members and providing a forum for the exchange of information concerning the resources, production and uses of cobalt
Membership of the Institute may be Full (voting) or Associate (non-voting). Currently, we have 20 members from 14 countries including all the major cobalt producers.
With the ICMM values and the CI objectives in mind, we strive to achieve high standards in our sector as exemplified by our 7-Guiding Principles:
- Maintain high ethical standards in all aspects of work
- Operate with high standards of social responsibility
- Encourage the implementation of robust internal reporting structures to ensure transparent and sustainable operating practices
- Work with Regulators and Legislators to communicate the latest science data, ensure it is appropriately applied and encompass best practices regarding any intrinsic hazards and risk management principle
- Continue to develop scientific information on cobalt to ensure the fullest understanding of cobalt in the context of human health and the environment
- Work to promote and develop uses for cobalt in a responsible and sustainable way
- Encourage the Guiding Principles of cobalt to be used throughout the life cycle.
