Critical Mineral Value Chain

Building Trust from Mine to Market

Critical minerals are vital for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defense systems, but their supply chains, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—a major global producer—are hindered by unethical practices, fraud, and inefficiencies.

These challenges jeopardize economic stability and national security, as underscored by U.S. policies emphasizing secure, transparent supply chains. SAGINT OS delivers a transformative solution to foster trust, ensure compliance, and enhance efficiency.

Challenge

The critical mineral supply chain faces systemic issues:

Unethical Sourcing:

Artisanal mining often relies on exploitative labor practices due to inadequate oversight and economic hardship.

Regulatory Non-Compliance:

Companies face substantial penalties for failing to meet Dodd-Frank Act requirements, compounded by manual, error-prone reporting processes.

Logistical Delays:

Infrastructure constraints slow cobalt transport, disrupting supply chains.

Fraud and Illicit Trade:

Opaque supply chains and lack of real-time tracking enable smuggling, fueling conflict and financial losses.

Market Volatility:

Price instability arises from limited transparency and intermediary markups.

Impact

Ethical Sourcing:

Guarantees conflict-free minerals, enhancing brand reputation and consumer trust.

Cost Efficiency:

Reduces compliance and intermediary expenses, yielding significant savings in DRC supply chains.

Supply Chain Resilience:

Minimizes disruptions, ensuring reliable supplies for critical industries.

Economic Empowerment:

Promotes licit trade, creating jobs and fostering economic stability in DRC communities.

Case Spotlight:

Kinshasa Mercantile Exchange

The Kinshasa Mercantile Exchange (KME), currently in development, is SAGINT’s flagship initiative to revolutionize DRC’s cobalt trade. By connecting artisanal miners, processors, and global buyers through a blockchain-based marketplace, KME ensures compliance with Dodd-Frank Act and DRC regulations. It aims to boost miner incomes, curb illicit trade, and deliver verified supplies to companies like Tesla, establishing a global benchmark for ethical mineral sourcing.