Understanding Smelter and Refiner “Status”

The Responsible Minerals Initiative evaluates smelters and refiners—often referred to as “pinch points” in mineral supply chains—through the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP). Facilities may appear in RMI databases under different status categories, each with a specific meaning.

Common Status Terms

• Conformant: The facility has successfully completed an independent third‑party audit and meets the applicable RMAP standard for the mineral assessed. 
• Active: The facility has committed to participate in RMAP and is currently in the assessment, pre‑assessment, or corrective‑action phase, but has not yet been found to be conformant 
• Eligible: The facility meets the criteria to undergo an RMI assessment but may not be participating at this time.

What Information Is Available to Non‑Members

Although RMI membership provides access to additional data, non‑members can still view official, public facility lists published by the Responsible Minerals Initiative.

Public RMI Facility Lists

Non‑members may access the following directly from the RMI website:

• Active and Conformant Facilities Lists by mineral (tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold, cobalt, and others) - Active & Eligible by Metal
• Smelter Reference Lists, which provide standardized smelter names and IDs used across industry reporting templates - Smelter Reference
• Public Lists, which represent the key industry reference to determine if a facility participates in RMI Assessments - RMI Public List

Access to these lists requires acceptance of RMI’s published Terms and Conditions, but membership is not required to view them. 

How to Check the Status of a Specific Smelter or Refiner

Non‑members can determine a facility’s status by following these steps:

Identify the Smelter or Refiner Name: Use the standardized facility name or smelter ID, if available. These are commonly found in supplier disclosures or reporting templates.

Visit the RMI Facilities Lists: Navigate to the RMI’s public Active and Conformant Facilities List or Indicators by Metal page and locate the relevant mineral category.

Confirm the Listed Status

• If listed as Conformant, the facility has passed an RMAP audit.
• If listed as Active, the facility is participating but not yet validated.
• If not listed, the facility may be non‑participating, inactive, or outside the current scope of RMAP.

Using CMRT and EMRT Submissions as Supporting Evidence

Many companies disclose smelter information through:

• Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) for 3TG minerals
• Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) for additional minerals

These templates rely on RMI’s smelter reference data and can help downstream companies identify which smelters appear in their supply chains, even if they are not RMI members. However, CMRT/EMRT data does not independently verify conformance—it should always be cross‑checked against the official RMI lists. 

Important Limitations for Non‑Members

Non‑members should be aware of several important constraints:

• No Access to Detailed Audit Reports: Audit findings, corrective‑action details, and country‑of‑origin data are restricted to RMI members 
• Status Is Point‑in‑Time: RMI assessments are backward‑looking. A “Conformant” status reflects performance during the assessed period, not a real‑time operational guarantee 
• Facilities May Be Removed for Non‑Operational Reasons: A facility may be removed from public lists due to closure or operational changes, not necessarily non‑conformance 

What Non‑Members Should Do If a Smelter Is Not Listed

If a smelter or refiner does not appear on the RMI public lists:

• Engage your direct supplier and request clarification or updated CMRT/EMRT disclosures
• Encourage the facility to participate in RMAP through industry outreach initiatives
• Document due diligence efforts aligned with OECD Due Diligence Guidance, even in the absence of RMAP participation

When to Consider RMI Membership

Organizations with recurring regulatory, customer, or ESG reporting requirements may benefit from RMI membership, which provides:

• Enhanced supply‑chain visibility
• Access to country‑of‑origin and audit data
• Direct engagement with RMI programs and working groups