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BMW Group, BASF SE, Samsung SDI and Samsung Electronics kick
off “Cobalt for Development” to promote responsible artisanal
cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo -
The pilot project intends to improve working conditions at a
pilot mine site and living conditions in the surrounding communities -
Representatives from politics, civil society and financing
companies attended the launch event
Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo – With the
pilot project “Cobalt for Development”, the BMW Group, BASF SE,
Samsung SDI and Samsung Electronics yesterday kicked off their
cross-industrial initiative aimed at improving working conditions of
the people working at an artisanal cobalt mine site in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Cobalt is a key component in the
production of batteries for electronic devices and electrified
vehicles. Most of the global cobalt reserves and production are
located in the south of the DR Congo.
The companies from the electronics, automotive and chemical
industries have therefore commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to test within three years
how living and working conditions in artisanal cobalt mining and in
the surrounding communities can be improved. The commissioning
companies will not operate the mine. Together with authorities in the
province of Lualaba, the project has selected a legal artisanal mine
site nearby Kolwezi to pilot the approach.
“Sustainability is an important aspect of our corporate strategy and
plays a key role in expanding electro-mobility. We are fully aware of
our responsibility: Cobalt and other commodities must be extracted and
processed under ethically responsible conditions,” emphasizes Dr.
Andreas Wendt, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Purchasing
and Supplier Network. The company’s commitment to projects such as
“Cobalt for Development” is fundamental to ensuring that
suppliers also consistently comply with the BMW Group’s high social
and environmental standards. “If the project is a success, these
approaches can be transferred to other small, non-industrial mines
over the long term,” said Dr. Wendt.
Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman of
the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE said: “BASF is committed
to a responsible and sustainable global supply chain for cobalt.
Although BASF does not procure cobalt from artisanal mines, we
actively support “Cobalt for Development” as it aims to look
for new ways to improve the sustainability of the supply chain. This
project also contributes to the goals of the Global Battery Alliance
of which BASF is a founding member. Cooperation with partners along
the value chain drives change and increases the impact at all stages
in the production.”
During the upcoming months, the pilot project will focus on analyzing
occupational and environmental risks to develop and implement
responsible mining practices. Local partners such as the artisanal
mining cooperative will participate from the beginning in developing
and implementing these measures to strengthen local ownership and
sustainability of the approach. In the nearby community, the focus
will be to improve access to education, as well as financial literacy
and alternative incomes for its residents.
At the official launch of “Cobalt for Development”,
representatives of the financing companies met with the Governor of
Lualaba Richard Muyej Mangeze Mans and Secretary General of the
National Ministry of Mines Joseph Ikoli Yombo Y’Apeke. The event in
Kolwezi was also attended by representatives of the civil society and
private sector.
The progress of “Cobalt for Development” is regularly
evaluated internally and by a committee of local representatives to
continuously improve the project approach. These lessons learnt could
then form the basis if project measures are extended to other mine sites.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations in the field of
international cooperation for sustainable development. For the
“Cobalt for Development”, GIZ collaborates with IMPACT, an
international non-governmental organization that specializes in
improving natural resource governance, and Good Shepherd International
Foundation / Bon Pasteur, an organization with longstanding community
development experience in the area.
Media contacts:
BASF SE
Christine Haupt
Phone: +49 621 60-41040
Email: Christine.Haupt@basf.com
BMW Group
Kai Zöbelein, Sustainability Communications
Phone: + 49 89 382-21170
Email: Kai.Zoebelein@bmw.de
Andreas Klugescheid, Vice President Governmental Affairs,
Sustainability Communications
Phone:
+49 89 382-23661
Email: Andreas.Klugescheid@bmw.de
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine
economic success with environmental protection and social
responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group
work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all
sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is
organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial
Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition Care and Agricultural
Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF
shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as
American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information
at www.basf.com.
About BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW
Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services.
The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly
facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in
more than 140 countries. In 2018, the BMW Group sold over 2,490,000
passenger vehicles and more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The
profit before tax in the financial year 2018 was € 9.815 billion on
revenues amounting to € 97.480 billion. As of 31 December 2018, the
BMW Group had a workforce of 134,682 employees. The success of the BMW
Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible
action. The company has therefore established ecological and social
sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product
responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an
integral part of its strategy. Further information at www.bmwgroup.com