Anglo American has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation to collaborate on the creation of a copper product offering that, it says, responds to growing demand for metals with demonstrably strong provenance credentials.

The collaboration will focus on driving traceability across copper’s fragmented value chain, with the aim of identifying and measuring sustainability indicators that industry stakeholders and end customers deem most relevant and valuable, Anglo American says. By using technology-driven traceability solutions, the two companies will work together to provide such stakeholders with secure access to relevant product provenance information.

Anglo American and Mitsubishi Materials, a global manufacturer of copper and other non-ferrous metal materials, cemented carbide tools, and electronic components, will also explore decarbonisation opportunities to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the metal provided to customers.

Paul Ward, Executive Head of Base Metals Marketing at Anglo American, said: “We are forging long-term collaborations with customers across key geographies, building on well-established commercial relationships to extend the impact of our commitment to create ethical value chains for our products beyond our own mining operations.

“Consumers around the world are increasingly asking that their purchases come with greater assurance of sustainable production. Our work with Mitsubishi Materials aims to accelerate efforts to increase provenance visibility for materials used in some of the key technologies for modern life and to improve living standards for a growing global population through sustainable socio-economic development.”