.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
New Report Investigates Innovations and Best Practice in Sustainability Certification
June 13th 2013
We are pleased to announce the release of "Scaling-up certification in artisanal and small-scale mining: Innovations for inclusivity", a paper written collaboratively with IIED. This paper seeks to identify existing and emerging innovations and best practice in sustainability certification that enable fair and beneficial inclusion of producers. It seeks to learn lessons for artisanal and small-scale mining from the agricultural sectors, where certification has been operational for some time. These innovations could increase the inclusivity of certification to cater for the realities of the majority of ASM. It also explores the enabling environments or support systems that are necessary to scale up of certification. To access our publications section please click here.
ELL and EI Sourcebook
3rd Arpil 2013
Estelle Levin Limited have been appointed as Extractive Industries (EI) Source Book evaluators for the full duration of the project to date.
If you have used the Extractive Industries Source Book, please support the evaluation process by participating in the brief online survey; click here to take survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8RYMB9R
ASM-PACE programme in DRC holds a workshop in Kinshasa validating the findings of its July baseline of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in the Itombwe Nature Reserve
11 January 2013
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most mineral-rich nations in the world. It is known to have major reserves of a wide range of minerals from uranium and diamonds to tin and gold. It is also home to exceptional biodiversity. Nearly 50 percent of Africa’s forests lie in DRC and an estimated 68 percent of the country’s landmass is forest. DRC is home to 66 million people, of which an estimated 16 percent (approximately 10 million people) derive their livelihoods directly from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Artisanal and small-scale mining brings about environmental impacts. They include massive deforestation and improper management of mining and human waste leading to water and soil pollution as well as a demand for specific plant and animal species for mining inputs, such as tools, food and medicines. Air and water pollution are also caused by the use of chemicals like mercury, which is fairly profuse amongst gold miners in DRC.
"Digging Deeper” Roundtables Convene Over 50 stakeholders of Conservation and Mining Sector
6th December 2012
In November 2012 the ASM-PACE programme convened a diverse group of over 50 stakeholders including development experts, conservation organisations, ASM specialists, and representatives from the industrial mining sector in Washington D.C. and London, UK hosted by WWF-US and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) respectively. The Roundtable participants reacted to the ASM-PACE programme's body of research conducted thus far, including its Global Solutions Study, the Country-Specific Case Studies (Gabon, Liberia, Madagascar and DRC), Methodological Research Toolkit, and the ASM-PACE programme's key findings to date.
To download the briefing note please click here.
Digging Deeper: Two ASM-PACE Roundtables in December 2012
December 2012
The ASM-PACE Programme organised two Roundtable Conferences in the United States and in the UK titled "Digging Deeper - Understanding the Incursions of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Protected Areas and Critical Ecosystems", hosted by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and Estelle Levin Ltd.
Read more: Digging Deeper: Two ASM-PACE Roundtables in December 2012
Reports Shed Light on the Issue of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining in Protected Areas and Critical Ecosystems
10th October 2012
Policy-makers, conservationists and bi-lateral organisations globally now have a new suite of case-study reports and toolkits to help them seek win-win solutions to address the issue of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) in Protected Areas and Critical Ecosystems (“PACE”). In the last 18 months the ASM-PACE Programme has conducted ground-breaking analysis of the impact of ASM activities in some of the world’s most important ecosystems – including Liberia, Madagascar and Gabon – proposing practical, workable, and sustainable solutions. The published reports embody the Programme’s cutting-edge research using a scientific foundation of knowledge and participatory methods; providing practical technical assistance whilst balancing environmental concerns with the economic development potential of ASM; creating a long lasting community to foster awareness on ASM-PACE related issues and engaging relevant stakeholders in dialogue to affect durable change.
Estelle Levin Ltd. joins ARM’s “Guardian” Standards Committee
September 3rd 2012
In June 2012, ELL was named as a member of the Guardian Committee, the governance structure of the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM). ELL Director Caren Holzman will serve on the Committee and comments: “We are delighted that we were asked to serve as advisors to ARM, which is one of key leadership organisations within the mining industry. This new Guardian Committee governance structure will only strengthen ARM’s global position and we are pleased to be a part of the movement to create and pioneer responsible mining standards.” Estelle Levin Limited is a recognised global consultancy specialising in standards and assurance systems, using natural resources for rural development, and having a specialist expertise in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Holzman continues: “This new role gives us additional prestige and credibility and we thank ARM for this opportunity.”
RJC and Solidaridad announce collaboration for better practices at industrial gold mines
September 3rd 2012
ELL welcomes the news that Solidaridad and the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) will be working together to bring mining companies in the Global South into RJC full membership, starting with a pilot project with a medium-scale mine in Peru to comply with RJC Code of Practices and Chain of Custody standards. The partnership was facilitated by research that Estelle Levin Ltd. completed for Solidaridad.
In 2010, Estelle Levin Ltd. was commissioned by Solidaridad to identify the most effective among existing standards that can be used as a tool for managing the environmental and social impacts of industrial mining. In the report Benchmark Study of Environmental and Social Standards in Industrialised Precious Metal Mining, the RJC Code of Practices was ranked first out of the eight standards commonly used in metal mining, which spurred Solidaridad’s decision to approach the RJC for the collaboration.
Estelle Levin said: “We are proud to have been part of this process in a small but significant way. It shows how relevant and longsighted the work we produce is”. ELL is pleased to see this partnership develop and advance best practice on the ground.
To read the full statement from Solidaridad click here
New Arrivals at Estelle Levin Ltd.
August 2012
We are pleased to announce the arrival of two babies for ELL.
Gisa Roesen, Manager and Senior Analyst gave birth to a baby son Friedrich on the 15th August, in Hannover, Germany and Estelle Levin, Director gave birth to a baby daughter Eliza on the 21st August, in Cambridge, UK
Both Mothers and babies are doing great.
Estelle Levin Ltd. co-authors "Greening ICT Supply Chains - Survey on Conflict Minerals Due Diligence Initiatives" for the International Telecommunications Union and the Untion Nations University
September 2012
The report provides an overview of the many initiatives that provide the ICT sector with guidance and assurance tools on how to conduct due diligence for conflict minerals entering their supply chains. The report also serves as a needs assessment for a mineral supply chain due diligence standard that takes consideration of wider issues of sustainabiliyt, above and beyone the issues surrounding conflict minerals (i.e. human rights and money laundering issues).
The initiatives studied in this report include Chain of Custody Standards that allow for the mineral’s origin and chain of custody to be known, Issue(s)-based Standards that promote best practice in risk management on specific issues only, Risk Management Standards that promote best or good practice in risk management on a wider range of social and environmental issues than issue-based standards, and Sustainability Standards which seek to mitigate risks and optimize on the development opportunity that the mineral capital presents. The report also details government and industry-led efforts to improve the transparency and due diligence of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)-dominated ICT supply chains.
The report is being launched at ITU's second annual Green Standards Week in Paris and a copy is available at: http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange/report-ict-supplychains.html.
Estelle Levin delivers Webinars on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
June 27th 2012
The recorded webinars, developed by Estelle Levin, Gisa Roesen and Ruby Weinberg at Estelle Levin Ltd in collaboration with the Responsible Jewellery Council are available online.
NB: some users may need to download the free GoToMeeting Codec to access the recording
The webinars give a brief introduction to issues associated with minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas as well as summarise recommendations from the OECD DDG 5 step framework. The role of industry programmes, including the RJC Chain-of-Custody Standard, is also discussed in terms of how it can be used to support the OECD DDG recommendations.
Motorola Solutions' and AVX's 'Solutions for Hope'
April 19th 2012
As part of Motorola Solutions' and AVX's 'Solutions for Hope' programme's best practice supply chain of 'conflict-free' tantalum from DRC, Estelle Levin Ltd. are developing a conflict minerals policy and supporting management system for a tantalum mining company and their supplier artisanal mining cooperative in eastern DRC (2011-2012). This work is being carried out in partnership with Green Horizons Environmental Consultants Limited.
ELL contracted by RJC
March 6th 2012
Estelle Levin Limited is working with the Responsible Jewellery Council on the development of training modules for the jewellery supply chain that cover the recommendations of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, and how RJC's Chain of Custody Certification might assist companies seeking to conform with the OECD DDG. These will be made publicly available as recorded webinars to support the capacity-building of all jewellery supply chain participants and stakeholders. Timeframe: May/June 2012. For more information, please see http://www.responsiblejewellery.com/chain-of-custody-certification/
WWF to present study results at the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, from 6-9 Feb. 2012
February 6th 2012
Following a global study of artisanal and small-scale mining taking place in or adjacent to the world's most important ecosystems, WWF and Estelle Levin Ltd. are releasing the results of their global study at the African Mining Indaba this week in Cape Town, South Africa. Copies of the executive summary can be collected at the WWF stand at the conference (Stand 2906, Norilsk Nickel Exhibition Hall / Hall 3), and soon after on the ASM-PACE programme website: www.asm-pace.org.
A Baby Girl
February 1st 2012
We are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby daughter Noemi for our Cartographer, Gary Beynon and his family. Mother and baby are doing great.
Formalising Artisanal Diamond Mining Report Released
September 6th 2011
Formalising Artisanal Diamond Miners: New report released by Estelle Levin Limited, Tetratech ARD, and USAID.
Read more: Formalising Artisanal Diamond Mining Report Released
ASM-PACE Launch
September 1st 2011
WWF and Estelle Levin Limited launch “ASM-PACE” Project addressing Artisanal Mining in the world’s most critical ecosystems.
OECD Due Diligence Guidance Consultants
January 10th 2011
Top industry associations include Estelle Levin Limited as one of four consultancies to assist companies with implementation of OECD Due Diligence Guidance Compliant Sourcing Systems in the DRC and surrounding countries.