New tool helps companies to map risks in minerals value chain

The Risk Matrix can be used during step 2  of the OECD Due Diligence process by all companies that work with metals and minerals in their value chains. The Matrix provides insight into the key risks that may occur in value chains. 

It also shows the probability of these risks per product and per production country. Countries have been selected on the basis of their (potential) production capacity of a raw material.

The Matrix assesses raw materials on the severity and likelihood of 13 risks: 

1. discrimination & gender,
2. forced labour (2 indexes),
3. child labour,
4. labour rights
5. fair wages,
6. freedom of association,
7. environmental issues,
8. ecological threat,
9. biodiversity
10. deforestation
11. water use and water availability
12. corruption
13. land tenure

Indexes have been chosen as according to being relevant in conducting the necessary preliminary research. The matrix provides a quick insight into a country’s (operating) context. 

After companies have identified the major risks, they can jointly tackle them within the Agreement through joint projects, together with social organisations. For example, one of these projects is focussed on the health and safety risks in metal mines in Peru and Bolivia in which CNV Internationaal also participates.

Learn more:  health and safety risks case

Previously CNV Internationaal also developed a similar matrix for the food industry supply chain