Project Concept:

As part of the World Economic Forum Global Battery Alliance collaboration platform, LiFT works with GBA partners to catalyze and accelerate action towards a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and innovative battery value chain and optimize the contribution of sustainable lithium to a responsible global energy transition. LiFT is being initiated in Argentina as a voluntary supply chain sustainability project developed and implemented by RESOLVE in partnership with the Cámera Argentina de Empresarios Mineros (CAEM) and the support of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC). LiFT will be initiated in Argentina and then expanded to other regions based on the interests of GBA members. LiFT is designed to link to existing initiatives such as Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM), an assurance program developed by MAC and adopted by CAEM, OECD Due Diligence, the Responsible Minerals Initiative’s Risk Readiness Assessment, and others.

The approach begins with a multi-stakeholder dialogue for the Lithium Triangle that brings together lithium producers, downstream users, regional governments and civil society.

Phase I (18 month duration):

The first stage involves planning in-region engagement to identify key risks and responses as well as priorities. A series of three multi-stakeholder dialogue meetings is envisaged, but can be extended to an ongoing dialogue if there is interest. The dialogue is informed and complemented by work on existing requirements and standards as they apply to the region.

In Argentina, LiFT will be coordinated with CAEM’s introduction of Towards Sustainable Mining protocols at production facilities.

Downstream Survey – on behalf of members of the in-region dialogue, RESOLVE surveys downstream companies and global civil society for their sense of the key risk issues as input to the in-region dialogue.

Voluntary Initiatives Map – RESOLVE prepares a map of the key assurance initiatives, so that in-region companies can be briefed on potential strategies for providing the assurance that downstream seeks. TSM has been identified as the assurance foundation in Argentina. LiFT will work with downstream and other interests, such as investors, so that LiFT links to or “plugs-in”.

Upstream Data/Reports – RESOLVE develops a methodology that allows mining companies to efficiently post their current CSR and other environmental and social reports so that they are easily accessible to downstream companies. This helps streamline and rationalize compliance upstream and verification downstream.

Responsible Suppliers Framework - As an outcome of the dialogue a Responsible Suppliers Framework for the region will be published. It will set out a common understanding of how development priorities and key risk issues in the sector will be managed by LiFT participants. It will be used as a basis for engagement with downstream companies.

Phase II:

Ongoing implementation of the Responsible Suppliers Framework and ongoing dialogue on responsible sourcing of lithium.

Status: Initial consultations have validated the project concept. Currently, RESOLVE and CAEM are engaging stakeholders and inviting companies involved in the lithium supply chain, including final manufacturers, to participate in LiFT.

Contact Point: Tim Martin – tim@diplomaticcounsel.com