mines to markets
Overview of global projects
Pact’s Mines to Markets program (“M2M”) assists resource-dependent communities to gain lasting benefits from the
more sustainable use of the natural resources around them. Pact takes an integrated approach to its work in the
mining sector. We link mining to livelihoods, governance, health, environment, and the strengthening of local, regional
and national institutions. The M2M program is currently active in eight countries around the world; of these, seven are
in Africa.
What We Do
Burundi, Congo, Rwanda — Pact works as field and design partners for the ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative
(iTSCi), which achieves internationally-accepted traceability and due diligence for ‘conflict-free minerals’ (tin,
tantalum, tungsten) that are mined in Burundi, DRC, and Rwanda. This work has directly led to improved livelihoods
for over 80,000 miners, over 800 safer mines, reduced illegal trading, strengthened government capacity, and creates a
steady supply of conflict-free tin, tantalum, and tungsten to international markets for diverse products. In 2015, we
expanded this work by launching a health & safety initiative for iTSCi sites, financial literacy and
savings programs for miners, and a program to reduce child labor by a multipronged approach
targeting root causes of this complex issue.
In the DRC, with the World Bank, Pact is supporting the government in developing a national
policy and action plan for artisanal mining, as well as building the capacity of government agents
to manage the sector.
pact 1828 L street nw • suite 300 • washington, dc 20036 • 202.466.5666 • pactworld.or • [email protected] learn more at pactworld.org
In Burundi, Pact is also working with the World Bank and the Burundian government to track production and taxes in
the artisanal mining sector, in coordination with the Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). If
successful, this will be a ‘global first’ where EITI has successfully been applied to ASM.
Ethiopia — Working in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia, the World Bank, and local organizations, Pact
is working in 12 ASM communities in six regional states to: improve health, hygiene, and sanitation; increase and
diversify incomes within ASM communities; improve opportunities for women in ASM. Additionally, and in
partnership with DFID via KPMG, we are working to achieve better economic, social and environmental sustainability
in artisanal gold, opal, and salt mines.
Madagascar — Pact works with the global mining company Rio Tinto to deliver the “Rio Tinto Scholarship Education
Program” (RISE). Through this program, Pact is implementing a two year scholarship and educational initiative to
improve the level of education of local children and empower them to be competitive in the workforce, thereby
strengthening the local economy. The project aims to improve the quality of education, academic performance, and
maintain a 95% school retention rate.
Tanzania — Pact is assisting the Government of Tanzania on its plans to implement the “Voluntary Principles on
Security and Human Rights.” Working closely with the Tanzanian private sector and government partners, the project
aims to improve security conditions, citizen welfare, and local development in mineral-rich and oil-rich areas of the
country through reducing conflict and improving coordination.
Zimbabwe — This multi-year, multi-partner project aims to formalize and integrate large, small and artisanal gold
mining and trading in Zimbabwe to increase the contribution of gold to the country’s economy and development. It has
two components: promoting coexistence and integration opportunities between large and small-scale producers, and
formalizing gold mining and trading.
Colombia — Through its “Somos Tesoro” (We Are Treasure) Project, Pact is working on eliminating child labor in
artisanal and small-scale mining in gold and coal sites in Colombia. Child labor in mining is an extremely serious and
difficult issue facing many countries worldwide. We are one of the very few organizations globally working at the field
level on this issue.
Pact enables system solutions that allow those who are
poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy
and take part in the benefits that nature provides.
For More Information
Karen Hayes
Director, M2M
[email protected]
Cristina Villegas
Sr. Program Officer, M2M
[email protected]
Charlie Cook
M2M Campaign Manager
[email protected]
Pact is an international, nonprofit organization with forty years of
experience. Our vision is a world where those who are poor and
marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and
take ownership over their future.
pact 1828 L street nw • suite 300 • washington, dc 20036 • 202.466.5666 • pactworld.org • [email protected] July 2015