Consultancy: Research on environmental, social, and governance practices in mining and mineral processing of copper and cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with more than 30 years of experience working to solve today's greatest sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise across critical policy areas with a collaborative approach to research, advice, and hands-on support that delivers real-world results. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 experts working from offices in Canada and Switzerland as well as other locations around the world.

1. Background

Critical minerals are necessary inputs for the technologies essential for the energy and digital transitions that will shape the low-carbon economies of the future. At the same time, mining activities can generate significant environmental and social impacts that need to be managed, including water pollution, waste generation, biodiversity loss, labour concerns, and community grievances. As a global leader in processing critical minerals and manufacturing technologies for energy and digital transitions, China plays a decisive role in shaping how these transitions would be managed. Namely, the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance and business practices of Chinese mining and mineral processing companies can lead to important sustainable development outcomes.

IISD has conducted research on the evolving Chinese ESG framework and standards in critical mineral value chains and its application to overseas operations of Chinese companies , using the nickel value chain in Indonesia as a case study. In a second phase of this research, IISD will delve deeper into the ESG practices of Chinese copper and cobalt mining and mineral processing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The study will assess the ESG practices of selected Chinese-invested mining and processing operations in the DRC, identify areas of progress and remaining gaps, and examine how Chinese regulatory frameworks, DRC mining governance, and international sustainability standards interact in practice. The project will generate evidence-based recommendations and facilitate dialogue among Chinese stakeholders, international standards bodies, governments, industry, and civil society.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

IISD seeks a consultant to conduct research and draft a chapter of the study on the progress and remaining challenges in ESG implementation in the DRC’s copper and cobalt mining and mineral processing industries.

The consultant will conduct stakeholder interviews and fieldwork, complemented by desk research where needed, to provide targeted, up-to-date analysis of ESG standards and practices in the DRC’s mining industry, with a focus on the extraction and processing of copper and cobalt. The industry analysis will be accompanied by an overview of the DRC’s national legal and regulatory framework of the mining sector and the state of ESG performance and practices of copper and cobalt mining and processing companies operating in the country.

Findings from the research should characterize the current state of the copper and cobalt mining and processing industries in the DRC, explain how the national legal and regulatory framework governs ESG practices in these industries, and what progress and challenges in ESG performance remain in the country. The findings should inform recommendations on how to improve the ESG performance of copper and cobalt companies in the DRC.

3. Objectives

3.1 Overall Objectives

The objective of this consultancy is to research and draft a chapter on the progress and challenges of ESG performance in the copper and cobalt mining and processing industries in the DRC, including an analysis of national mining policy and regulation related to ESG.

3.2 Specific Objectives

The consultant will deliver a chapter for the report that will include the following:

An overview of the state of the DRC’s mining industry, with a focus on copper/cobalt production in the last 10–20 years. This should identify and characterize the foreign investment and major companies extracting and processing copper and cobalt in the DRC.

An up-to-date analysis of the legal and regulatory framework in the DRC mining sector in terms of ESG requirements and provisions, identifying progress made in responsible mining governance, as well as gaps and challenges, particularly in terms of implementation vis-à-vis foreign investors and operators.

An analysis of the ESG performance of companies operating in the DRC’s copper and cobalt value chain and the remaining challenges they face. This should be based on primary data (stakeholder interviews for this study) and complementary desk research. The analysis should cover all major industry actors present in the DRC, including Chinese and others.

Comprehensive documentation of primary data collected for the analysis, anonymized and aggregated where required. A summary report of the interviews with different stakeholders in the DRC that captures the perspective from government agencies, industry, mining companies, and civil society, including the local communities directly affected by mining and mineral processing. This may include different types of fieldwork (e.g., mine-site visits or visits to local communities affected by mining and mineral processing activities).

Recommendations on how to improve ESG practices of copper and cobalt mining and processing companies in the DRC.

4. Scope of Work

Analyze legal/regulatory texts, including relevant policy documents, academic literature, and industry reports.

Conduct stakeholder interviews (virtual and in person) to capture perspectives from government agencies, industry, mining companies, and civil society. This includes potential fieldwork such as mine-site visits or visits to local communities affected by mining and mineral processing activities.

Participate in inception discussions with the project team.

Conduct complementary desk-based research.

Prepare a detailed chapter outline for approval.

Draft the chapter, including complete citations and references to secondary sources and primary data to back up all relevant findings.

Revise the chapter based on internal and external reviewer comments.

Participate in review meetings as required.

5. Deliverables

Inception note: A 2–3-page note describing the methodology, research approach, and proposed chapter structure.

Annotated chapter outline: A detailed outline identifying the major arguments and evidence sources.

Summary report of stakeholder interviews: Comprehensive documentation of the primary data collected for the analysis, along with a summary of all stakeholder interviews conducted for the chapter.

First draft: A complete draft of the chapter.

Final draft: A revised chapter incorporating comments.

6. Expected Length and Format

Estimated chapter length: 2,000 words.

Written in clear, professional English.

Referencing style: APA 7th Edition.

All data sources must be cited.

Graphics, tables, and figures should be supplied in editable format where possible.

7. Expected Timeline

Contract start: November 1, 2026

Inception note: November 10, 2026

Outline approved: November 15, 2026

Summary report of stakeholder interviews: February 15, 2027

First draft: March 15, 2027

Comments returned: April 15, 2027

Final draft: May 15, 2027

8. Required Qualifications

Qualifications

A master’s degree in law, social sciences, public policy, environment, development studies, or a relevant interdisciplinary program or field. Applicants without a master’s degree are welcome to apply if they can demonstrate equivalent experience.

Candidate must have authorization to work in the DRC (e.g., nationality, residence, valid work permit, or short-term visa to conduct research).

Experience

At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in the DRC connected to mining governance, mining policy, ESG managemen