As part of our Responsible Raw Materials services, we deliver advice based on sound evidence and deep expertise. Our team has built an extensive portfolio of ASM and wider mineral sector-related policy advice, programme implementation and research as part of our Mineral Sector Governance, Responsible Mining and Responsible Trade practice areas.
We have implemented large, multi-year programmes in minerals value chains, carried out ASM baseline studies and sector analyses for multiple minerals in more than 10 countries, defined national and regional ASM strategies for several national governments and regional institutions, and carried out political economy analyses focused on conflict and illicit financial flows.
We have also supported large-scale mines in designing and implementing strategies and plans for managing ASM on and around their exploration and mining concessions for diverse minerals in different parts of Africa.
Rachel Brass is our Director of Responsible Raw Materials.
Types of support we provide include:
- Situational analyses, strategic assessments and baseline studies
- Program design for governments and donors
- Policy design, review, and support for implementation
- Training and capacity building
- Artisanal and small-scale mining professionalisation and formalisation
- Work for donor governments on transparency and due diligence systems
Selected project examples:
Co-leading a consortium for a $1.8 million Word Bank-funded project in Mozambique to support the government’s implementation of its national ASM development strategy (2021-2). The consortium worked with ASM cooperatives in three provinces to pilot formalisation efforts and extension services, working closely alongside government officials to support institutional strengthening. We also developed a new national framework for the long-term implementation of extension services to mining cooperatives. | Find out more
In Eastern DRC, we worked with the US civil society organisation Global Communities through a $12 million multi-year USAID Cooperative Agreement to establish commercially viable supply chains for responsibly sourced ASM gold. Levin Sources brought our in-depth understanding of and networks in global gold markets and standards to promote demand and investment from responsible private sector actors. | Find out more
PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT THE GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION
At Levin Sources we fully realise the importance of strong partnerships to balance the growing demand for minerals essential to the green transition with the rights and needs of producer countries and communities. Successful partnerships require effective participation from governments, business, civil society and international organisations. We are deeply involved with several public-private partnerships and multi-disciplinary platforms to find collaborative solutions to complex challenges.
We are a member of the EU-funded AfricaMaVal consortium, which will work until 2025 to identify joint Africa-EU investment opportunities for the responsible sourcing of critical mineral resources that deliver long-term benefits for both sides. Levin Sources has been responsible for identifying investment needs and opportunities for the ASM sector in 15 countries while also advising other consortium members on ASM-related issues.
We recognise the essential roles downstream companies and end-consumers play to incentivise the responsible production and sourcing of many minerals. This was strongly reflected in our convening role in the Global Battery Alliance’s (GBA) Human Rights and Child Labour working group, which resulted in the creation of the Child Labour and Human Rights indices as two of the three pilot indices for the GBA’s Battery Passport. Today, the GBA brings together more than 170 organisations, including mining companies, battery manufacturers, OEMs from a range of industries, governments and civil society to advance sustainability and responsibility in battery value chains through innovation. | Find out more about our work with OEMs
We have been involved in strategic advisory and research projects for the World Bank Group, including looking in detail at risks related to fragility, violence and social exclusion related to the production of transition minerals in parts of Africa, and advising on opportunities for private sector investment in Zambian mining.
