Terrell Freeman

ITSCI

The International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI) is the industry leading due diligence and traceability programme for the 3T minerals. We work to achieve avoidance of conflict financing, human rights abuses, and other risks such as bribery in mineral supply chains. ITSCI monitor over 2,000 tin, tantalum, and tungsten mine sites, and currently focuses on Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. We tackle the issue of conflict minerals at grassroots level with the presence of an on-the-ground team to continuously monitor and evaluate risks, recommend mitigation actions, and engage local stakeholders through a participative approach. By making available unique and credible information to businesses, government authorities, and civil society, ITSCI allows them to make appropriate and effective decisions on due diligence and steps towards progressive improvement. Our detailed and credible information, which is generated to a common standard by a range of appropriate experts, encourages accountability of all stakeholders, and as a result, reduces business risk and increases opportunity for all. The programme is unique among supply chain initiatives to have achieved standards confirmed by independent evaluation to be 100% aligned with the OECD due diligence guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. ITSCI has improved the livelihood of thousands of artisanal and small-scale miners by allowing metal users to source responsibly from high risk areas and promoting best practices at mine sites.