Pilot for the mining sector
The programme has been conducted as a pilot for the mining sector since 2018 with support from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Mining is recognised as a sector with a high number of human rights-related risks. Swedish companies also have a large global presence in this industry as solution providers. One part of the pilot involves identifying issues and solutions to sustainability challenges in Latin America, Peru in particular, working closely with local Swedish representatives and leveraging the Swedish resource base. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, efforts have included focus on a systematic exchange between key private and public sector stakeholders in Peru and the Swedish mining cluster.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mineral supply chains are connected to a complex set of human rights, environmental, conflict and development issues. In 2021, the initiative will seek to team up with Swedish and local partners in a long-term engagement to contribute to a positive development in targeted areas broadly related to mineral extraction.
The underlying causes of many of the problems identified in the pilot so far are connected to local development challenges. Achieving long-term positive impact will require alignment with the Swedish Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Such opportunities are actively explored as part of the pilot.