KIVU, DRC – The iTSCi Programme for conflict-free mineral traceability announced implementations in North and South Kivu.

Program activities in Nyabibwe in South Kivu had been supported by donor funding of iTSCi field teams since late 2012. At the end of external donor funding in May 2014, arrangements were made to continue operations at Nyabibwe-Kalimbi and extend coverage of iTSCi to areas farther south in Uvira-Walungu starting in July.

Production areas have been included in the conflict-free supply chain in the Masisi region in North Kivu, where traceability and other supporting field assessment activities will be implemented over the next couple weeks.

In North and South Kivu, the iTSCi Programme now includes all government validated “green” mine sites in Masisi, and in Uvira-Walungu areas.

Across all four provinces of the DRC where iTSCi is implemented (Katanga, Maniema, South and North Kivu), almost 90% of government-validated mine sites are now included. A further 148 of yet to be validated conflict-free mines are supported within the iTSCi Programme.