Over the past 10 years, Jose has worked on responsible mining and due diligence in mineral supply chains, both in industrial (LSM) and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). She has extensive in-country experience in high-risk and developing areas, including in Central Africa and South America. She started her career in academia, conducting PhD research studying the impact of ‘conflict-mineral’ policy and due diligence initiatives on local natural resource governance structures in Katanga, in the DRC.
While working on the responsible production of minerals for a major industrial copper/cobalt mining company in Southern DRC, Jose gained key insights into due diligence from a corporate perspective. She supported the business in implementing international best practices regarding human rights and the interaction between ASM and industrial mining. She built an extensive network in the DRC, and has expert knowledge of global due diligence platforms and internationally-recognised due diligence standards, including the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, Responsible Minerals Initiative, Section 1502 Dodd-Frank Act, EU Regulation 2017/821 on supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, the International Finance Corporation performance standards, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
In her most recent role as Programme Manager at the multi-stakeholder Fair Cobalt Alliance, she held financial and operational responsibility for the programme. In this role, Jose managed various stakeholder interests and needs, navigating between programme targets, civil society and private sector interests, including member companies such as Fairphone, Glencore, and Tesla.
