Project Description

The goal of this project was to create a blockchain-enabled system for tracking the provenance of certain raw materials produced in conflict-affected and high-risk areas – e.g. Conflict Minerals (3TG) – across the entire supply chain via verified, cryptographically secured transactions. With support from the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM), the project has been piloted in 2019 along a mineral supply chain originating from Rwanda.

Tracking Accountablity from Mine to Store
iPoint, in collaboration with BetterChain, has developed a supply chain tracking system from mine to store, thereby demonstrating the relevance of upstream supply chain information to consumer brands’ due diligence. Blockchain technology supports data reporting onto a decentralized network. It provides downstream supply chain participants and end-users access to reliable and verified data on all relevant stages of the supply chain while preserving the commercial confidentiality of supply chain intermediaries.

Pilot Project: Minerals in the African Great Lakes Region
The project was piloted for minerals sourced in the African Great Lakes Region and ran until May 2019. Our prototype set of systems has been applied to a pilot mineral supply chain of tungsten by involving all relevant supply chain economic operators such as the mining operator, participating trader, smelter, and manufacturing companies, as well as other key stakeholders (mining community, government). Creating an eco-system based on blockchain technology enables companies to mutually verify if the pilot, OECD-compliant mining operation is present in their supply chain. This will pave the way for new incentive models stimulating demand for minerals and metals that are responsibly sourced from Rwanda.