Metalkol RTR, a comprehensive hydro-metallurgical facility to reprocess the historic tailings, will be subject to a supply chain audit under the group's Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP).

The RMAP for the RTR project, which comprises the reprocessing of old cobalt and copper tailings from previous mining operations around Kolwezi, will involve an independent third-party assessment of refinery management systems and sourcing practices.

"Cobalt's role in the world economy is only set to increase as it is a key ingredient in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage which will power the green recovery," noted Benedikt Sobotka, chief executive of Eurasian Resources and co-chair of the Global Battery Alliance.

"It is vital that the cobalt in these products is sourced responsibly and sustainably, and we have committed to this through our Clean Cobalt Framework, the Cobalt Industry Responsible Assessment Framework and the RMAP."

Eurasian Resources said that Metalkol RTR has made a formal commitment to proceed with the RMAP assessment and submitted all required pre-assessment documentation. It is now actively in communication with the RMI on logistics and preparation for the RMAP assessment.

Metalkol RTR was launched in October 2018 and is currently ramping up to reach the capacity of 14,000 tonnes of cobalt per year and 77,000 tonnes of copper as part of Phase I.

Under Phase II, the facility will reach an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes of cobalt and 105,000 tonnes of cobalt - it has a target full capacity of 24,000 tonnes of cobalt and 120,000 tonnes of copper.