You can now review and provide feedback on the draft versions proposed as candidates to amending the CRAFT code. The open consultation period will be open until December 22, 2023, allowing for the submission of comments, opinions, and recommendations for adjustments to these candidate versions. Your feedback will be analyzed by the CRAFT work team and the Governance Bodies, which will ratify the new version of the CRAFT 2.1 code in the first quarter of 2024.
Feedback reception point: standards@responsiblemines.org
Purpose of the minor revision to the CRAFT code
With this minor revision, ARM and Resolve (standards maintainers) aim to close the identified gaps in the OECD Alignment Assessment with the intention of fully harmonizing the CRAFT code with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance (OECD DDG). Additionally, the revision seeks to enable a new type of CRAFT scheme: the CRAFT Upstream Assurance Scheme (UA-Scheme). A new type of CRAFT scheme that provides due diligence and assurance for supply chains sourcing from Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM).
Adjustments to Volumes 1 and 2
Four criteria have been proposed for modification across Volumes 1, 2a, and 2b, along with the inclusion of three new criteria. Most of the adjustments involve modifying the wording for direct references to the annex II OECD DDG and clarified that CRAFT is a management system for artisanal and small-scale mining organizations. In this way, it is explicitly stated that compliance with the CRAFT code means that artisanal mineral producers adhere to a supply chain policy that mitigates risk mentioned in the Annex II of the OECD DDG. Furthermore, the suggested new requirements aim to incorporate the guidelines of the OECD regarding gold traceability and the disaggregation of tax declarations, as well as the origin and transportation routes of 3T minerals.
Draft Version of Volumes 1 and 2 of CRAFT Code 2.1
Volume 1 Introduction
- Modifications were made to harmonize the changes in volume 1 with the changes in volume 3.
Volume 2A: AMP general requirements
- Added to the criterion 1/5.2.3/R.1 “the AMP has a de-facto or formally constituted decision-making leadership structure”.
- New details to the requirement 1/5.2.3/R.2 and more precision to the criteria regarding the public CRAFT report and the CRAFT Code as its Management System and the implementation of a supply chain policy.
- New requirement M.1/5.2.3/R.4: The AMP ensures that the requirements of the CRAFT Code, which the AMP has adopted as its supply chain policy and committed to fulfill, are communicated in a way that reaches all Members.
- Specifications to the requirement 1/5.2.11/R.1. Role and responsibilities of the Responsible Person of the CRAFT code implementation.
- Detail to the pass criterion of the requirement 4/2.2.1/R.1 related to the payment of taxes to governments.
Addressed OECD alignment assessment criteria B.1, B.2, B.3, B.4, B.6, B.8, B.17, B.21, B22, B.48, B.49, B.59.
Volume 2B: AMP commodity-specific requirements
Gold specific requirements
Added the words “precious metals” and New requirement M.4/5.2.12/S.1.1 to specify the measure of traceability.
Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten specific requirements
New requirement M.4/2.2.1/S.2.1 to disclose disaggregated information on taxes and payments.
Addressed OECD alignment assessment criteria B.14, B.17 y B.20.
Download draft versions (Word format) here:
Adjustments to Volume 3
The modifications to Volume 3 aim to provide guidelines for a new type of CRAFT scheme (UA-Scheme) with Due Diligence and Assurance responsibilities extending from artisanal mineral producer to the refiner (pinch point of institutionalized mechanisms like RMAP). This implies that in CRAFT UA-Schemes, not only does the artisanal mineral producer assume contractual due diligence responsibilities, but also mineral aggregators and international traders (referred to as “Scheme Members”). The new scheme is intended to be optional and non-disruptive to other existing CRAFT schemes. To achieve this, a new chapter has been introduced, outlining specific guidelines for CRAFT UA-Schemes. While guidelines for other types of CRAFT schemes (which serve purposes beyond providing due diligence for ASM) have been maintained without alteration.
Draft Version of Volume 3 of CRAFT Code 2.1
[New chapter in volume 3] Optional Specific Requirements for CRAFT Upstream Assurance Schemes (UA-Schemes )
AMP Scope maintained: Only minerals from Affiliated AMPs are in scope of CRAFT
CRAFT Schemes may or may not want to act as UAM: Everything into an Optional chapter
2 new terms introduced: CRAFT UA-Scheme:
- “CRAFT Schemes” have no due diligence responsibility and provide no assurance (as in 2.0)
- “CRAFT UA-Schemes” have due diligence responsibility and provide assurance (new in 2.1)
Supply chain actors between AMP and the pinch point of institutionalized mechanisms like RMAP are “Scheme Members” of “UA-Schemes”
To serve as UAM framework, Vol.3 focuses on and defines UA-Schemes requirements:
- CRAFT UA-Scheme’s responsibilities for its own processes
- CRAFT UA-Scheme’s responsibilities related to affiliated AMPs
- CRAFT UA-Scheme’s responsibilities related to Scheme Members
Download draft version (Word format) here:
We are pleased to receive your comments, opinions, or suggestions for modifications at standards@responsiblemines.org until December 22nd, 2023. Please remember that modifications must fall within the scope of the Terms of Reference established for this minor review of the CRAFT code.