Research projects help us connect with stakeholders and improve our understanding of critical impacts along the value chain
THE COPPER MARK PARTICIPATES IN RESEARCH PROJECTS
Why does the Copper Mark invest resources on research?
Because we believe that Continuous Improvement, for our process and framework, is key. Research helps us understand critical impacts in the value chains of our principal covered metals, as well as trends and new developments in their value chains.
What projects are of interest to the Copper Mark?
We aim to participate in projects that further our understanding of stakeholders and critical impacts-iacross the copper, molybdenum, nickel and zinc value chains,in order to serve our vision of promoting responsible production, sourcing and recycling practices.
How are these projects being developed?
Research projects are prioritized by the relevance of the topic,the ability for the Copper Mark to add value to the project as well as to use results to inform and improve our assurance framework.
THE PROJECTS WHERE WE PARTICIPATE
Timeline: October 2023 – May 2024
Summary:
The goal is to increase knowledge about the reality of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Copper Mining (ASCM) sector in Peru to inform an open dialogue about its future and sustainable development between all ASCM value chain stakeholders. The main deliverables will be an assessment paper, and a series of roundtable discussions, ultimately resulting in recommendations for future activities.
Project Activities:
The main activities of this project include:
- Field work to map the ASCM activities led by ARM.
- Regional workshops with miners from the departments of Huancavelica, Ica and Apurimac.
- National workshop held in Lima, Peru on April 24, 2024, where artisanal miners presented their main points on problems, challenges and opportunities to improve their situation.
- Presentation of the main results of the project at a Partner-led session during the OECD Forum for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, in late May 2024 in Paris, France.
Deliverables:
The findings of the project are in the following deliverables
- Full report: English Español
- Infographic: English Español
- Recorded session - National workshop with ASCM: Dialogos sobre Mineria Artesanal y de Pequeña Escala de Cobre en el Perú
- White paper / policy brief, forthcoming
Funding and collaborators:
This project was possible thanks to a grant from the ISEAL Innovations Fund, which is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.
The project received complementary funding from Intel Corporation and MinSus Cooperacion Alemana GIZ.
The development was led by the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM)
Timeline: February 2024 - June 2026
Summary:
The project aims to integrate artisanal and small-scale copper miners (ASCM) production into global responsible formal supply chains. The project will focus on engaging with actors from the Copper Mark.
To achieve this, the project will develop a multi-stakeholder roadmap for integrating ASCM into responsible supply chains in Peru, including all the copper value chain stakeholders representatives. The project will also strengthen the due diligence mechanism that addresses the specific challenges faced by indigenous communities and environmental and human rights defenders.
A branch from the CRAFT Code will be developed to apply to the ASCM sector in Peru and its alignment with the Copper Mark will be ensured. Additionally, a detailed supply chain analysis of the ASCM sector in three selected territories will be conducted to identify opportunities for improvement. Finally, the project will conduct a baseline study on the ASCM sector in the three territories to provide a snapshot of the current state of play. Policy briefs on key ASCM issues will be produced and disseminated to raise awareness and inform decision-making within the country and at the international level.
Envisioned impact
The project will foster positive interactions within the ASCM sector, promote respect for human rights, encourage the adoption of better mining practices for ASCM, and support the integration of ASCM production into responsible supply chains. This will help to improve the standard of living for ASCM miners and their communities in Peru.
The project is expected to have a number of positive impacts, including improved economic and social development for ASCM miners and their communities, reduced environmental and negative social impacts of ASCM, increased transparency and accountability in the ASCM sector, and enhanced competitiveness of the Peruvian copper industry.
The desired end goal of this project is to support the establishment of a thriving and sustainable ASCM sector in Peru that contributes to the economic and social development of the country while upholding human rights and protecting the environment, thereby helping to create a more sustainable and equitable copper supply chain.
Beneficiaries
- ASCM miners (women and men) and mineral rights owners
- Local communities and human rights and environmental defenders
- Producers and commercialization organisations
- Peruvian Government,
Implementing partners
The Alliance for Responsible Mining (applicant)
International Institute for Environment and Development
International RBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector (executed by SER)
Danish Institute for Human Rights
Sunrock Investment B.V.
The Copper Mark
Funding
This project was possible thanks to a grant from the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM)
Website of the project at EPRM site here
Phase I: “Decarbonizing the Copper Sector”
Timeline: September 2023 – May 2024
Summary:
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) conducted initial research and scoping of the key issues to be addressed in the development of a copper specific 1.5°C-aligned target setting methodology (i.e., a sectoral decarbonization approach or SDA) similar to those that were recently developed in other sectors such as steel and aluminum.
The SDA aim is to provide copper producing companies with a clear methodology to set emissions reduction goals that are in line with the 1.5°C target and which account for both the growth needed in copper production and the sector-specific challenges to decarbonization.
Through stakeholder interviews and review of previous publications on copper trajectories, a number of issues were identified to be addressed during the development of an SDA.
Deliverables:
- Report "Copper Sector - Discussion Topics and Considerations for 1.5°C-aligned Trajectory and Target-setting Methodology"
- Presentation of the results, session held on Monday May 6th, 2024
Funding and collaborators:
The Copper Mark financed the project, which was developed by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).
We thank all the experts and stakeholders from across the copper supply chain including representatives from copper mining companies, manufacturers as well as standard setters and civil society organizations that contributed their valuable knowledge to various aspects of this report.
Phase II: “Sector Decarbonization Approach – Copper”
Timeline: May 2024 – May 2026
Summary:
Copper is a crucial input for many decarbonization technologies such as solar PV, wind, energy transmission and electric vehicles. Without decarbonization and considering current technologies, absolute GHG emissions from copper production will more than double by 2050, with emissions from land-use change to rise threefold.
Currently, there is no guidance available to the copper industry on setting science-based targets that considers the need for production to grow to meet the demand for the energy transition. For producers and purchasers of copper, a clear roadmap outlining the trajectory to net-zero is needed to:
- Support emissions target setting for copper producers.
- Support end-users to procure inputs with lower embodied emissions to achieve their own supply chain emissions reduction targets.
- Allow for the consistent implementation and verification of performance against the Copper Mark’s standards.
The project is implemented in three main phases:
- Phase 1: Stakeholder engagement and scoping (See above under Phase I). Completed
- Phase 2: Phase 2: Development of the SDA Roadmap with the Technical Working Group (see Terms of Reference here)
- Phase 3: Publication, integration of the SDA Roadmap in the Copper Mark assurance framework, submission to SBTi and sharing of learnings.
Deliverables will be announced in due course.
Funding and collaborators:
This project was possible thanks to a grant from the ISEAL Innovations Fund, which is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.
The project will receive match funding from companies participating in the Technical Working Group.
The Copper Mark supports and complements the research efforts, led by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).
Public Consultation
The Copper Mark and the Rocky Mountain Institute are consulting on the report “A 1.5°C-aligned Trajectory and Target-setting Methodology for the Copper Sector” and supporting tools.
We invite all interested stakeholders to review the draft report and provide your input!
The public consultation is open from 17 June 2025 to 17 August 2025. The report and details on how to provide feedback can be found on the Current Public Consultations page.