The CIRAF is a powerful management tool that allows participants to demonstrate alignment with good global practices on responsible sourcing and production of cobalt. It strengthens the ability of cobalt producers and buyers to assess, mitigate, and report on responsible sourcing and production risks in their operations and supply chain. The CIRAF also enables a more coherent and consistent approach to due diligence and reporting by the cobalt industry.
The management framework for risk assessment and mitigation outlined in the CIRAF is aligned with the leading global standard on responsible mineral supply chains; the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD DDG). The Sustainability Report also considers sustainability metrics from other schemes, like the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA).
Cobalt Blue aspires to be one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt for battery production. We are committed to the progressive implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) certification for the Broken Hill Cobalt Project. The CIRAF provides a robust and well accepted methodology to assess our operations performance or risks and is a mechanism for sharing our assessment with all stakeholders.
Importantly, as part of our report this year, we provide commentary on how our Mine to Battery Markets Projects are tracking in terms of making sustainable and responsible progress.
Joel Crane, Cobalt Blue’s Investor Relations/Commercial Manager says:
“Using the reputable CIRAF framework is important to us as we progress towards reaching a Final Investment Decision. The potential to attract a project offtake partner is enhanced by our adherence to this robust and globally recognised scheme, which provides evidence of our approach to responsibly sourcing and refining cobalt. While we operate in Australia in accordance with strict regulatory requirements, we recognise the importance of transparently communicating how we responsibly explore for, mine, refine and reprocess cobalt. We have also been working with the Australian Government to promote a ‘Made in Australia’ certification scheme for critical mineral extraction and refinement in Australia."