The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) has released its new Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard, which sets requirements for tracking material produced from mining operations audited against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining.

This enables consumer-facing brands and other actors along the supply chain to make credible claims that they are using materials from IRMA-assessed mines.

The IRMA developed the CoC Standard and system in response to demand from consumer-facing brands and other companies for independently verified socially and environmentally responsible mined materials.

Using specific requirements for tracking material from verified IRMA-audited mines and mineral processors, companies can better understand impacts in their supply chains, choose to buy from operators increasing transparency and support their suppliers to improve practices.

The CoC Standard is also designed to be compatible with other standards programmes that ensure responsible sourcing of mined materials downstream of the mine, such as those programmes being managed by global nonprofit organisation ResponsibleSteel.

In addition, the IRMA developed the CoC Standard to work in concert with existing and emerging traceability services and technologies, including blockchain and mineral identification scanning technology, besides others.

Based on the ISO 22095:2020 guidance, the CoC Standard allows for five different CoC models for CoC systems. Four models require and assure the actual physical presence of material with an IRMA Achievement Level: Identity Preserved, Segregated, Controlled Blending and Mass Balance.

One model is not connected to the physical flow of material, but an administrative record to ensure the quantity and achievement levels booked for materials from IRMA-assessed mines are not exceeded by the claims for those materials: Book and Claim Credits.

Each model has specific requirements that allow different claims to be made about materials or products that are delivered using that CoC model.

Anglo American and its subsidiries and Sibanye-Stillwater are among the global mining companies that have participated in the IRMA's assessment standards.