
- Glencore
- Sustainability
- ESG A-Z
- Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)
We recognise that artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a source of employment and income generation in many countries, and we support helping legitimate ASM operations to be as responsible as possible.
Products from ASM operations is a reality in the global supply chain and we welcome the efforts by responsible sourcing initiatives and international organisations to improve practices and address the risks of human rights violations.
In our operating jurisdictions, we are working with stakeholders to address the poverty that is an underlying cause of ASM.
What is artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)?
ASM takes many different forms, from official co-operative associations to small groups of miners illegally operating on mining concessions. ASM is largely informal and un-mechanised; individuals frequently rely on hand tools and basic extraction methods, so it often presents significant safety and human rights risks. Another key issue is the risk of child labour in the sector.
Our approach to ASM
Glencore purchases some third-party produced commodities from countries where ASM is common. We apply our responsible sourcing programme to the purchasing of third-party produced commodities, regardless of their production country.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and cobalt
As a major supplier of copper and cobalt, the DRC plays a critical role in helping the world transition to a low-carbon future.
The DRC’s geological cobalt endowment is unrivalled – the country has around half of the world’s known cobalt reserves. Cobalt, in particular, is a metal in rising demand due to its use in batteries for portable electronics, energy storage and electric vehicles.