The partnership will initially focus on protecting those involved in the supply chain for artisanal diamonds, but also extend to gold, cobalt, "the three Ts" (tin, tantalum, and tungsten) and other minerals.

The groups will integrate programmes covering responsible mining practices and standards, as well as on post-mining land use, support for livelihoods, reclamation, and restoration.

"The perils in the artisanal minerals sector are well known. Artisanal mining can damage the environment, and it is a vector for social disruption and disease," said Ian Smillie, a founder and chair of DDI. "Together Resolve and DDI will strengthen our impact on diamonds and extend the program to other minerals."

Stephen D'Esposito, chief executive of Resolve, added: "In a world defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, collaboration is the only means to tackle sustainability and health challenges. Our priorities are reconciliation for communities affected by conflict diamonds and conflict minerals, restoration to heal the land and support new livelihoods, and responsible sourcing to ensure long term benefits for artisanal diamond miners and their families." 

DDI has historically focused on the informal diamond mining sector in Africa. It created the Maendeleo Diamond Standards, a set of standards for ethical artisanal diamond production.

Resolve launched Salmon Gold, an initiative for biodiversity-positive gold in supply chains that counts Apple among its members, in 2019.