Woodcross Case Study

Woodcross Resources partnered with Minespider to track tin from Uganda
Woodcross
Project:
Traceability software implementation
Industry:
Mining
Geography:
Republic of Uganda
Product:
Digital Product Passports
Share this article
Woodcross
Project:
Traceability software implementation
Industry:
Mining
Geography:
Republic of Uganda
Product:
Digital Product Passports
Summary
Woodcross Resources, a tin production company in Uganda, has partnered with Minespider to implement blockchain-based Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for tracking their tin, ensuring compliance with international regulations, including OECD, ICGLR, and Ugandan laws, and exporting LME Grade A refined tin from Uganda.
Results:
  • Streamlined compliance with OECD, ICGLR, RMI/RMAP, and Ugandan regulations.
  • Showcase transparency across all tin operations - from mine sites to the smelting facility and beyond.
  • Build Woodcross’ brand equity and distinguish their product from the market by sending DPPs to downstream customers.

Woodcross Resources is an integrated tin production company that is working with local artisanal communities in the Republic of Uganda, particularly in the Ntungamo and Isingiro districts, to develop mining projects. The business comprises a mining division that is focused on the exploration, development and operation of mining licenses, a commercial-scale tin refinery located in Mbarara, Uganda, and a mineral trading division, purchasing concentrate from audited mining sites across the Great Lakes Region of East Africa. To be able to export its tin concentrate, Woodcross Resources has to comply with a set of strict policies, Ugandan law and international mining standards. To prove the origin of the tin for Woodcross Resources’ concentrate and comply with regulations, the company partnered with Minespider in order to implement traceability and track all tin from mine sites to the smelting facility with Digital Product Passports.  

Towards Responsible Tin Exports from Uganda

When Woodcross Resources was founded in Uganda, they first purchased the mining license, but shortly afterwards it was prohibited to export unprocessed minerals out of the country. Woodcross Resources decided to build a tin refinery and export LME Grade A refined tin.

Responsible Trade LLC is a consultancy that supported Woodcross Resources in their efforts to build a responsible mineral supply chain and developed the strategy so the company can easily comply with all mining regulations. 

“There are existing regional Upstream Assurance Mechanisms that have been accused by several organizations of having illicit material entering into the supply chain.This jeopardizes the reputation and business viability of responsible supply chain actors including miners, exporters, and smelters. Blockchain technology creates a secure, timely, and reliable Chain-of-Custody system that ensures auditable and transparent record of due diligence data that is fully conformant to the OECD, ICGLR, RMI/RMAP, and Ugandan law,” - Mike Loch, CEO of Responsible Trade LLC commented.

Blockchain technology became a part of the strategy developed for Woodcross Resources. Following Responsible Trade LLC’s recommendations, the company implemented its own due diligence system using Minespider’s blockchain-based platform and Digital Product Passports, as well as third-party auditing. Woodcross Resources is now tracking all tin shipments, starting with the ore from mines through to the export of refined tin.

Digital Product Passports for Tin

The Digital Product Passport is a virtual copy of a mineral that contains all information to prove its origin, due diligence and ESG details. It is required by many regulations to securely collect, store and communicate data across the supply chain in order to avoid supply chain risks such as human and environmental rights violations as well as ensure the mineral’s quality.

“Our Digital Product Passports help Woodcross Resources create a cost-effective, efficient, scalable, and all-encompassing due diligence system that enables a company to stand out in their responsible sourcing efforts.”

- Nathan Williams, Founder and CEO of Minespider commented. 

Minespider enabled Woodcross Resources to collect and communicate key supply chain data about their tin, such as data for provenance and due diligence risk assessments, while providing flexibility to align with different regulatory requirements in a way that is traceable, secure and immutable. The Minespider platform will be integrated into Woodcross Resources’ internal resource planning system and provide transparency on Woodcross Resources’ mineral sourcing operations to regulators, offtake partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Results of the project

By implementing traceability and Digital Product Passports to tin operations, Woodcross Resources:

  • Made compliance easier and have the data that is fully compliant with the OECD, ICGLR, RMI/RMAP, and Ugandan law,
  • Achieved transparency across all tin operations - from mines to smelting facility and beyond,
  • Distinguished its product from the market by creating traceability across all operations.

“We are pleased to re-launch the tin industry in Uganda and introduce a new supply center for refined tin to the global metals & mining market. Our facility is able to produce LME-Grade tin ingots, positioning Woodcross Resources as the only company that can legally export tin out of Uganda. Our collaboration with the team at Minespider empowers us to produce and export tin in a responsible and transparent manner.” - stated Omid Ameri, Managing Director of Woodcross Resources. 

Do you want to distinguish your products in the market? Learn more about the Digital Product Passport or contact our expert team here.

Find out more about the Battery Passports