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What are the problems associated with using conflict minerals?
Certain minerals (including tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) have been linked with funding killings, violence, rape, and other human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other conflict zones.
What are conflict minerals examples?
These so-called ‘conflict minerals’ such as tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold, also referred to as 3TG, can be used in everyday products such as mobile phones and cars or in jewellery. It is difficult for consumers to know if a product they have bought is funding violence, human rights abuses or other crimes overseas.
What technologies use conflict minerals?
Washington, DC — Apple, Alphabet (Google), HP, Microsoft, and Intel are leading the way, while Walmart, Sears, and Neiman Marcus are ranked worst, in the Enough Project’s 2017 Conflict Minerals Company Rankings, published today.
What products contain conflict minerals?
Uses for 3TG Conflict Minerals
- Electronics.
- Batteries.
- Anodes.
- Wire and cable coating.
- Resistors.
- Dielectrics.
- Alloys.
- Bronze.
What are the 5 conflict minerals?
“Conflict minerals,” as defined by the US legislation, currently include the metals tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold, which are the extracts of the minerals cassiterite, columbite-tantalite and wolframite, respectively. Downstream companies often refer to the extracts of these minerals as 3TG.
How many people have died from conflict minerals?
3 million people
Conflict Minerals in the DRC Conflict minerals are usually talked about in the context of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a 20-year conflict between armed groups and the state has to mass murder, rape and other human rights violations. More than 3 million people have been killed in the conflict.
What is the purpose of conflict minerals?
Conflict minerals are resources that are mined and used to influence and finance armed conflict, human rights abuses, and violence.
Does Apple use conflict minerals?
Apple works at multiple levels in its supply chain to identify and assess risk. Apple requires its suppliers that utilize 3TG to submit an industry-wide standard Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (“CMRT”).
What are alternatives to conflict minerals?
But there may be an alternative which could tackle the issue of conflict minerals head-on. Carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene, could be used to replace many of the metals. Importantly, graphene is a strong material with good conductivity, similar to scarce metals.
What is conflict minerals rule?
Pursuant to Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, the SEC issued its conflict minerals rule in 2012, requiring reporting companies to report on their use and sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG). The conflict minerals reporting template (CMRT) is available to all at no cost.
Why are they called conflict minerals?
Simply put, “conflict minerals” get their name because they are mined and sold by regions experiencing some type of conflict. It could be military, economic, etc. In these areas, countless human rights violations occur in the pursuit of valuable minerals.
What is the conflict minerals law?
The Conflict Minerals Regulation[i] requires EU-based importers of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (also referred to as “3TG”) to ensure their minerals are sourced responsibly and that their supply chains do not help to fund armed conflict or other illegal practices. Report annually on supply chain due diligence.