Benefits of Membership in the Responsible Minerals Initiative

Thank you for your interest in the Responsible Minerals Initiative. Founded in 2008 by members of the Responsible Business Alliance and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative, the Responsible Minerals Initiative has grown into one of the most utilized and respected resources for companies addressing responsible sourcing issues.

RMI Membership is open to RBA members, non-members, associations, and vendors who support the objectives of the RMI and whose primary purpose of joining the initiative is the implementation of minerals supply chain due diligence.

Membership Types

The RMI has five member types:

  • Partner Members - individual companies that use or transact in raw materials.
  • Upstream Members - individual companies whose primary business is mining, smelting, and/or refining raw materials. Upstream members have the option to upgrade to full Partner Members. Eligible Upstream members are required to participate in and maintain good standing in the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) or equivalent assessment program.
  • Association Members and Partners - associations of companies that use or transact in raw materials.
  • Vendor Supporters - companies that provide goods and/or services for use by RMI member companies. Vendor supporters are those companies that do not meet the partner member category requirements. Vendor supporters are not eligible for RMI membership through association members.
  • RBA Members - includes current RBA Members. RBA Member dues is inclusive of RMI membership.

Members are required to accept an Agreement on the Exchange of Confidential Information (AECI) upon the approval of their application form. Please click here to see a sample AECI. Our membership period runs on a calendar year basis, January to December. Companies signing up in the last quarter of the year (October 1 onwards) receive three months free and are automatically enrolled for the next calendar year term.

Partner Member Benefits

  • Access to data and tools:
    • Access to Reasonable Country of Origin (RCOI) data associated with smelters and refiners that are validated through the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process. RCOI data provides access to mineral sourcing countries, which can support companies' decisions and disclosures to affirmatively support responsible souring from conflict affected and high-risk areas.
    • Facility Database with information about thousands of companies in the 3TG and cobalt supply chains.
    • Risk Readiness Assessment, a self-assessment tool to assess and communicate risk management practices and performance across 31 issue areas.
    • Global Risk Mapping Platform, a practical tool for companies to identify conflict-affected and high-risk areas using resources recommended by the OECD and the European Commission
  • Access RMI’s Working Groups:
    • Including: Minerals Reporting Template (MRT), Smelter Engagement, Supply Chain Data Management, Smelter Disposition, Artisinal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Working Group, Gold, Cobalt Task Force, Mica, Standards Advisory Group, Emerging Trends and Technologies, Multi-Stakeholder Group, and RMI Plenary
    • Working groups provide insight, tips and a like-minded community of industry professionals developing solutions by companies, for companies.
  • Eligibility to serve on the RMI Steering Committee.
  • Opportunity to shape industry response to minerals reporting requirements and other expectations from stakeholders.
  • Latest information about the developments on regional issues, various sourcing initiatives, regulatory schemes and more.
  • Discounted attendance fee to the annual members meeting and conference.
  • Facilitated engagement with stakeholder groups, including civil society organizations, socially responsible investor groups, governments and multilateral institutions to ensure your company has all the relevant perspectives as you make choices about your supply chain practices.
  • Ability to contribute your perspectives to the development of new tools and resources from the RMI, such as white papers on responsibly sourced minerals due diligence and training on responsibly sourced minerals reporting.
  • Discounted attendance fee to the annual members meeting and conference.
  • Member newsletter subscription.

Partner Member Rate:

$10,000 per year (Company Annual Revenue under $9 Billion)

$20,000 per year (Company Annual Revenue over $9 Billion)

Start Application Process


Upstream Member Benefits

Please note that this form should only be completed if you would like to apply for upstream membership. If you are interested in completing a Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) assessment, please contact RMIaudit@responsiblebusiness.org.

  • Access to data and tools:
    • Facility Database with information about thousands of companies in the 3TG and cobalt supply chains.
    • Risk Readiness Assessment, a self-assessment tool to assess and communicate risk management practices and performance across 31 issue areas.
    • Global Risk Mapping Platform, a practical tool for companies to identify conflict-affected and high-risk areas using resources recommended by the OECD and the European Commission
  • Access RMI’s Working Groups:
    • Including: Minerals Reporting Template (MRT), Smelter Engagement, Supply Chain Data Management, Smelter Disposition, Artisinal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Working Group, Gold, Cobalt Task Force, Mica, Standards Advisory Group, Emerging Trends and Technologies, Multi-Stakeholder Group, and RMI Plenary
    • Working groups provide insight, tips and a like-minded community of industry professionals developing solutions by companies, for companies.
  • Opportunity to shape industry response to minerals reporting requirements and other expectations from stakeholders.
  • Latest information about the developments on regional issues, various sourcing initiatives, regulatory schemes and more.
  • Facilitated engagement with stakeholder groups, including civil society organizations, socially responsible investor groups, governments and multilateral institutions to ensure your company has all the relevant perspectives as you make choices about your supply chain practices.
  • Ability to contribute your perspectives to the development of new tools and resources from the RMI, such as white papers on responsibly sourced minerals due diligence and training on responsibly sourced minerals reporting.
  • Discounted attendance fee to the annual members meeting and conference.
  • Member newsletter subscription.

Upstream Member Rate: $5,000 per year

Start Application Process


Association Members

RMI engages with a variety of companies and their associations to collaborate on addressing shared challenges in responsible sourcing. RMI views our association members as valuable partners in promoting broad-based, multi-industry action to support responsible sourcing practices across supply chains. With support from a variety of industries, we can collectively promote ethical sourcing by increasing the effectiveness and impact of collaborative, cross-industry tools, platforms, and resources. Join the conversation by becoming a RMI Association Member! Association Membership is open to associations of companies that use or transact in raw materials. Associations are required to accept an Agreement on the Exchange of Confidential Information (AECI) upon the approval of their application form. Association Membership does not extend membership benefits to their own constituents. The RMI’s individual company membership rate ($7,500/$15,000 dependent on company annual revenue) applies to members of associations.

Association Member Benefits

  • Ex-officio (non-voting) seat on the RMI Steering Committee - oversee the general management and direction of the RMI, including its goals and objectives; shape the development and oversight of the organization's strategic plan.
  • Acknowledgement on RMI web site
  • Work group access
  • Event discounts—receive the member rate for conference registrations
  • Member newsletter subscription

Association Member Rate: $10,000 per year

Start Application Process

Association Partner Benefits

  • Acknowledgement on RMI web site to publically indicate collaboration activities and alignment.
  • Level and type of collaboration guided by tailored agreement between associations. Collaboration could include: coordination on events, sponsorships, and industry briefings, co-training opportunities, alignment of program services, etc.

Association Partner Rate: No annual fee


Vendor Supporters

RMI engages with a variety of organizations to discuss emerging issues, best practices and work on addressing shared challenges. RMI views our vendor supporters as valuable partners in promoting broad-based, multi-industry action to support responsible sourcing practices across supply chains. With support from a variety of companies, we can collectively promote ethical sourcing by increasing the effectiveness and impact of collaborative, cross-industry tools, platforms, and resources. Join the conversation by becoming a RMI Vendor Supporter!

Vendor Supporter Benefits

  • Acknowledgement on RMI website. The RMI does not endorse or make any claims about the products or services of Vendor Supporters.
  • RMI / RBA Annual Conference Benefits:
    • Exhibitor Table in reception area
    • Company name and logo on Conference Agenda
    • Company Description and contact information on registration website
    • Promotional signage throughout meeting space
    • Two free registrations (discount for additional attendees)
  • Event discounts. Receive the member rate for conference registrations and other RMI meetings.
  • Access to the Minerals Reporting Templates (MRT) Working Group
  • Annual vendor spotlight in RMI member newsletter
  • Additional reseller access to RMI resources available through data licensing agreement. Please contact RMI@responsiblebusiness.org for additional details.

Vendor Supporter Requirements

  • Intellectual Property Protection Agreement.
  • Vendor supporters may not promote, sell, or otherwise advocate for company products or services on RMI work group calls or through RMI distributions lists.

Vendor Supporter Rates

$15,000 per year (Company Annual Revenue under $10 Million)

$25,000 per year (Company Annual Revenue over $10 Million)

Start Application Process

 


Investor Network

We are pleased to introduce the RMI Investor Network — a pivotal step in promoting responsible mining and mineral sourcing worldwide. Investors are invited to collaborate with the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) in shaping a sustainable, ethical future for global supply chains.

Why are investors interested in the RMI?

Investors play a crucial role in promoting responsible sourcing, but they need industry support. By joining forces with RMI members, investors can better understand industry efforts to implement due diligence, share their expectations with the industry, and align risk assessment approaches with industry best practices.

What do RMI Investor Network members have access to?

  • Material Insights: Gain ESG risk insights on more than 40 materials and components, a navigator tool for standards, a Materials Global Risk Map, and Mitigation Initiative mapping.
  • Risk Readiness Assessment (RRA): Evaluate investees’ alignment with 33 ESG criteria over time using a self-assessment tool aligned with RMI ESG standards.
  • Global Risk Map: Identify supply chain risks with four risk bands (low, medium, high, extreme), providing information on CAHRAs and ESG risks at national and subnational levels.
  • Policy Webinars: Participate in company roundtables and policy webinars to stay informed on laws and regulations impacting the minerals sector and electronics industry.
  • Connect with Industry Leaders: Engage with nearly 500 RMI members actively involved in mineral sourcing, to identify opportunities for promoting responsible sourcing practices.
  • Define Your Journey: Collaborate with the largest industry association in the minerals sector to craft your strategy for promoting responsible sourcing through an Investor Dedicated Working Group.

To learn more, please contact Fabiana Di Lorenzo, Senior Director, Impact and Innovation: fdilorenzo@responsiblebusiness.org

Investor Network Member Rate: $15,000 per year

Start Application Process


If you have additional questions, please write to us. Thank you!