Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MINESPIDER (Blockchain Protocol for Responsible Mineral Sourcing)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-05-01 do 2023-04-30
Minespider's vision is a world where tracked, responsible products are the norm rather than the exception. Its mission is to connect companies, empowering them to collect, request, and communicate important data along the supply chain using blockchain and other emerging technologies. Minespider works to create transparent, sustainable supply chains, which can be scored and actively managed.
In today's digital era, the need for secure and trustworthy sharing of data has become more critical than ever before. While centralized data-sharing platforms provide an easy solution, they are also prone to security breaches and data leaks. Blockchain technology, on the other hand, can offer a decentralized and secure alternative that could revolutionize the way we share and store data.
The European Union (EU) announced the Green Deal and a set of strategies and regulations aiming to create more competitive and sustainable industries that use clean energy sources. For example, the proposed EU Battery regulation was announced back in December 2020 with the aim to reduce the environmental impact of battery production and waste, as well as embrace the new technological changes in the sector allowing for a more competitive and sustainable field. As such, the regulation requires the establishment of a way for tracking batteries' life cycle, from production to disposal.
Founded in 2018, Minespider developed an open blockchain protocol and DApp for creating digital certificates to track minerals along global supply chains and life cycles of products. Minespider provides the “Internet for the circulation of due diligence data packets”. Minespider has built strong brand equity and a media presence, is being recognised by key players as one of the leading traceability platforms and maintains close relationships with leading industry and development groups such as the Responsible Minerals Initiative, EIT Raw Materials, UNECE and the WEF.
Our mission is to establish the Minespider Infrastructure as the best practice in terms of responsible mineral sourcing and value chain tracking for all stakeholders - upstream, downstream and worldwide. Built upon blockchain principles, we offer all stakeholders in the chain the opportunity to introduce and track the origins of the materials extracted, regardless of their transformation during the manufacturing process, to create transparent and non-corruptible value chains and a trusted environment.
In today's digital era, the need for secure and trustworthy sharing of data has become more critical than ever before. While centralized data-sharing platforms provide an easy solution, they are also prone to security breaches and data leaks. Blockchain technology, on the other hand, can offer a decentralized and secure alternative that could revolutionize the way we share and store data.
The European Union (EU) announced the Green Deal and a set of strategies and regulations aiming to create more competitive and sustainable industries that use clean energy sources. For example, the proposed EU Battery regulation was announced back in December 2020 with the aim to reduce the environmental impact of battery production and waste, as well as embrace the new technological changes in the sector allowing for a more competitive and sustainable field. As such, the regulation requires the establishment of a way for tracking batteries' life cycle, from production to disposal.
Founded in 2018, Minespider developed an open blockchain protocol and DApp for creating digital certificates to track minerals along global supply chains and life cycles of products. Minespider provides the “Internet for the circulation of due diligence data packets”. Minespider has built strong brand equity and a media presence, is being recognised by key players as one of the leading traceability platforms and maintains close relationships with leading industry and development groups such as the Responsible Minerals Initiative, EIT Raw Materials, UNECE and the WEF.
Our mission is to establish the Minespider Infrastructure as the best practice in terms of responsible mineral sourcing and value chain tracking for all stakeholders - upstream, downstream and worldwide. Built upon blockchain principles, we offer all stakeholders in the chain the opportunity to introduce and track the origins of the materials extracted, regardless of their transformation during the manufacturing process, to create transparent and non-corruptible value chains and a trusted environment.
Within the project period Minespider was involved with multiple projects and worked with various stakeholders; including governments, industry leaders, and policymakers. Besides activities with global institutions such as UNECE, RMI, EIT, as well as major players in the mining, automotive and tech industry, Minespider also collaborated with universities and other scientific institutions. These activities helped to further develop and elaborate collaborations to provide for an efficient governance structure and the implementation of consortium networks to make use of the Minespider Infrastructure.
Based on the gathered learnings, the Minespider Protocol was updated to a version 2.0. that makes adapting to the needs of individual participants much easier. Minespider further developed their blockchain-based tools and products to push and pull data along supply chains and to make responsible participants more visible in supply chains. We developed customizable template tools that can easily be adapted to the individual standards applicable in any industry and for any legislation. For example, a template system that includes supply chain analysis features with regard to Conflict Affected and High Risk Areas (CAHRA) was built on the new protocol and launched in collaboration with EIT. Moreover, Minespider has developed and implemented tools to generate Digital Product Passports, including Battery Passports, that serve the industry in view of the actual and upcoming European regulations in terms of product and supply chain related transparency.
To support users from various industries, backgrounds and experience levels, appropriate training materials have been developed and the terms of use of the Minespider Infrastructure have been updated.
Results were disseminated via numerous channels. Minespider featured many press articles in different languages, with features in key mining publications such as Mining Review Africa, CIM Mining and IM Mining. We published in-depth blogs, covering everything from blockchain interoperability, European regulations on batteries, to Germany's potential supply chain law. These articles were shared across their social media channels: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram, which collectively gathered thousands of new followers over the course of the project.
Minespider recorded and released several episodes of Minespider TV, which disseminated the results of their tin traceability project and provided guidance on blockchain in the mining industry. We also directed and filmed a short documentary on our traceability work in Rwanda. Finally, the team spoke at multiple events, including the WEF Mining & Metals Blockchain Initiative, a European Economic & Social Council event and UN Resource Week.
Based on the gathered learnings, the Minespider Protocol was updated to a version 2.0. that makes adapting to the needs of individual participants much easier. Minespider further developed their blockchain-based tools and products to push and pull data along supply chains and to make responsible participants more visible in supply chains. We developed customizable template tools that can easily be adapted to the individual standards applicable in any industry and for any legislation. For example, a template system that includes supply chain analysis features with regard to Conflict Affected and High Risk Areas (CAHRA) was built on the new protocol and launched in collaboration with EIT. Moreover, Minespider has developed and implemented tools to generate Digital Product Passports, including Battery Passports, that serve the industry in view of the actual and upcoming European regulations in terms of product and supply chain related transparency.
To support users from various industries, backgrounds and experience levels, appropriate training materials have been developed and the terms of use of the Minespider Infrastructure have been updated.
Results were disseminated via numerous channels. Minespider featured many press articles in different languages, with features in key mining publications such as Mining Review Africa, CIM Mining and IM Mining. We published in-depth blogs, covering everything from blockchain interoperability, European regulations on batteries, to Germany's potential supply chain law. These articles were shared across their social media channels: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram, which collectively gathered thousands of new followers over the course of the project.
Minespider recorded and released several episodes of Minespider TV, which disseminated the results of their tin traceability project and provided guidance on blockchain in the mining industry. We also directed and filmed a short documentary on our traceability work in Rwanda. Finally, the team spoke at multiple events, including the WEF Mining & Metals Blockchain Initiative, a European Economic & Social Council event and UN Resource Week.
Minespider transforms today’s due diligence on mineral sourcing from a service to be performed, into a commodity to be purchased. Minespider works both upstream and downstream in the supply chain. The process can start at any point of origin and track the material along the whole supply chain. By packaging due diligence information into digital product passports, Large Scale Mines (LSMs), Artisanal & Small Scale Mines (ASMs) and all other suppliers can effectively sell their compliance data along with their minerals and products, often at a premium. This also allows smaller entities, particularly ASMs, to participate in responsible sourcing. By using the Minespider Infrastructure and their blockchain-based technologies, players across the value chain can determine where the raw materials come from, with easy access to the relevant data on how it was sourced. In addition, Minespider can support responsible companies to become more visible in relevant supply chains and win new customers, as well as encourage others to participate in responsible sourcing practices.