Metalkol’s Response to Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Weekly Update

Metalkol is committed to respecting and upholding universally recognised human rights standards. We are bound by the Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) Human Rights Policy and the supplementary Metalkol Human Rights Statement of Commitment, which elaborates on the former. Further, ERG is committed to the United Nations’ (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights Framework (UNGPS) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We take our commitments to these standards extremely seriously. Following a comprehensive review of the allegations concerning labour rights violations, as outlined in the Forced Labour in Cobalt Mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2023 report, we confirm that the allegations regarding our labour practices are unfounded and false.

Our human resources and recruitment procedures strictly comply with DRC labour laws and ILO conventions on child and forced labour. Our procedures ensure that we employ and contract only adults over the age of 18 and that all workers on site are legally authorised to work.

Metalkol is committed to providing a safe and equitable workplace, free from human rights abuses, including forced and child labour. All employees are treated fairly, equally, and without discrimination, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

As of Q4 2024, Metalkol employed 2,119 employees and 2,199 contractors, with 95% of the workforce being Congolese.

As an open and transparent company, committed to the DRC’s regulatory frameworks, our approach to labour relations is underpinned by constructive engagement with our employees’ trade unions. Metalkol fully respects the right of all employees to join trade unions and to freely engage in collective bargaining. Meetings between management and union representatives are held on a quarterly basis, with additional meetings arranged when necessary to address any urgent matters.

Metalkol provides competitive remuneration in line with union agreements and legislative requirements, completed by a collective bargaining agreement. In addition, permanent Congolese employees receive school fees, housing, transport and family allowances as well as other social benefits. We continue to work with union representatives to review the framework for employee benefits.