Congress enacted Section 1502 because of concerns that the exploitation and trade of conflict minerals by armed groups is helping to finance conflict in the DRC region and is contributing to an emergency humanitarian crisis. Length. The Conflict Minerals Rule is intended to reduce a significant source of funding for these groups. DR Congo is potentially one of the richest countries on earth, but colonialism, slavery and corruption have turned it into one of the poorest, writes historian Dan Snow. Director (s) Suroosh Alvi. The flow of Conflict Diamonds has originated mainly from Sierra Leone, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Ivory Coast. The Ambiguous Impact of the ‘Conflict Minerals’ Movement. Before then, the mineral was often tagged as conflict-free anyway — fraudulently. Photo courtesy of Julien Harneis. The trade in four conflict minerals -- tin, tantalum, tungsten (the 3Ts), as well as gold -- fuels the war in eastern Congo today. An investigation into conflict minerals in relation to the Kivu conflict found that "gold is now, as of 2013, the most important conflict mineral in eastern Congo, with at least 12 tons worth roughly $500 million smuggled out of the east every year." Civil conflict in Congo is driven by violent struggle for control of natural resources. Congo Calling is an advocacy organisation which was launched at TEDx in Exeter in 2012 following Bandi Mbubi’s powerful call for the development of fair trade technology using ethically-sourced, conflict-free minerals from the DRC. A leaked UN report on DRC identifies the key players in the col-tan trade. One of the deadliest conflict minerals is col-tan, which used in mobile phones and other electronic devices. In the seven years that the Dodd-Frank Act has regulated this mineral trade, Congo is no closer to peace than it was in 2010. Policy on Conflict Minerals “Conflict Minerals” refers to tin, tungsten, tantalum or gold sourced from mines or smelters that have directly or indirectly aided armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo or surrounding countries. An investigation into conflict minerals in relation to the Kivu conflict found that "gold is now, as of 2013, the most important conflict mineral in eastern Congo, with at least 12 tons worth roughly $500 million smuggled out of the east every year." Conflict minerals have been the main source of financing for decades-long conflicts including the Second Congolese war. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (the DRC) has an enormous wealth of natural resources that the world craves, including minerals, forests, agricultural land and oil. Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in Washington DC by human rights firm International Rights Advocates on … 4 to implement the requirements of Section 1502 (“Conflict Minerals Statutory Provision”) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Act”),5 relating to new disclosure and reporting obligations by issuers concerning “conflict minerals”6 that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) or an adjoining country7 The SEC rules define conflict minerals as 3TG metals, wherever extracted. U.S. law targets 'conflict minerals' in Congo. the United-States Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act), section 1502 on Conflict Minerals (formerly known as the Congo Conflict Minerals … VICE goes to Congo to find out more about the world's thirst for minerals that make the electronics industry go round. 17 reviews Every time you use a cell phone or log on to a computer, you could be contributing to the death toll in the bloodiest, most violent region in the world: the eastern Congo. They've become known as 3TG. Vice. The issue of conflict minerals is finally center stage, as reported two weeks ago on Greener Computing, thanks to a provision in the new Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that requires U.S. manufacturers to demonstrate that their sourcing practices aren't contributing to human rights atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Radle, Ben and Vogel, Christophe (2015) Fighting Windmills in Eastern Congo? Coltan and conflict in the DRC. 38mins. Conflict minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses, and which are sold or traded by armed groups. The most valuable of the conflict minerals -- minerals mined in areas of armed conflict and other human rights abuses -- is gold, but it is often chemically altered at the mine and is at this point essentially untraceable. In 2017, the State Department renewed the Public Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA) for another five years. June 12 is the World Day Against Child Labour. On the contrary, the situation is arguably at its most explosive level in two decades, as violence has spread both geographically from … Under Section 1502, the term “conflict minerals” includes tantalum, tin, gold, or tungsten. … 4 to implement the requirements of Section 1502 (“Conflict Minerals Statutory Provision”) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Act”),5 relating to new disclosure and reporting obligations by issuers concerning “conflict minerals”6 that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) or an adjoining country7 Conflict minerals of Congo. Conflict resources are natural resources extracted in a conflict zone and sold to perpetuate the fighting. The term “conflict minerals” referred to four minerals—tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold—that are mined in countries throughout the world, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There is no doubt that the implementation of the law has been sorely wanting, and that there need to be more focus on governance and political developments in general and not just conflict minerals. As a large device retailer, we’ve actively sought to address the human rights issue of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding areas through increased transparency in our supply chain. The world's bloodiest conflict since World War II is still rumbling on today. The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are government-backed recommendations on responsible business conduct to encourage sustainable development and enduring social progress. Conflict minerals. Conflict Minerals are metals such as gold (Au), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W) and tin (Sn) derived from minerals being sourced from mines in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict areas which are controlled by non-government military groups, or unlawful military factions. A new pressure-group campaign and pending legislation in Congress aim to increase awareness of "conflict minerals" from the Democratic Republic … The Dodd-Frank act was passed in 2010 and that made every American publically listed company responsible for reporting if they were receiving any minerals from the Congo … Conflict Minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses, by various armed rebel groups. Following Rwandan Genocide in 1994, Congo was overwhelmed by an influx of Rwandese refugees, inadvertently giving way to a violent civil war and a rise in rebel forces from neighbouring nations. The others were simply refugees, who eventually found themselves helpless in a conflict zone. Many of these militias are … He is visibly agitated, excited as he screams: “We will win peace … in the Congo… The new documentary film, "We Will Win Peace," skillfully debunks many myths behind conflict minerals in the Congo. Conflict Minerals are Tantalum, Tungsten, Tin and Gold and sometimes referred to as 3TG minerals, if they are deemed to originate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding area. The DRC is finally taking steps to trace and regulate one of the world's most uncontrolled conflict minerals. Note: Conflict minerals can be extracted at many different locations around the world including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The work is hard enough for an adult man, but it is unthinkable for a child. The conflict minerals controversy refers to an ongoing debate about the effectiveness and impact of a human rights campaign that seeks to reduce conflict in eastern Congo by eliminating the ability of the region’s armed actors to make money off the mineral trade. About $24 trillion worth of gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten are estimated to be in Congo’s eastern hills. Washington, DC: In front of the White House an activist carries a megaphone facing a crowd. The UN estimates that 168 million children are being put to work globally. The United States passed legislation in 2010 to reduce the purchase of “conflict minerals” and prevent the funding of armed militias, but complex supply chains in the DRC mineral sale business have made it difficult for companies that purchase resources … Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative Statement on Sourcing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Adjoining Countries The Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative is a coalition of over 160 companies from seven different industries committed to providing information and resources to help companies make informed choices about conflict minerals in their supply chains. According to the New York Times, Rep. Jim McDermott, who supported the requirement to disclose conflict minerals, visited a group of rape victims in Congo … Valuable minerals have been listed among the main drivers of civil conflicts. The Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa is one of the world’s most resource-rich countries. The term “conflict minerals” is defined as columbite-tantalite, also known as coltan (from which tantalum is derived); cassiterite (tin); gold; wolframite (tungsten); or their derivatives; or any other mineral or its derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. The West tolerated him as long as the minerals flowed and the Congo was kept out of the Soviet orbit. In the SEC’s release that accompanied the final conflict minerals rule, conflict minerals is defined as tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold “or any other minerals or their derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Covered Countries.” The Amnesty International report could be intended to be support for such a determination by the US Secretary of State. The mining and trade of the minerals is believed to help finance armed groups that are committing human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the “DRC”) and its adjoining countries. Yet tens of thousands of Congolese kids are involved in every stage of mining for cobalt. Lear must perform due diligence on, and make disclosures concerning its use of conflict minerals originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries. S/2014/42. It is difficult for consumers to know if a product they have bought is funding violence, human rights abuses or other crimes overseas. Section 1 – Conflict Minerals Disclosure Items 1.01 and 1.02 Conflict Minerals Disclosure and Report, Exhibit Conflict Minerals Disclosure A copy of Apple Inc.’s (“Apple’s”) Conflict Minerals Report for the reporting period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 is provided as Viewpoint is PwC’s global platform for timely, relevant accounting and business knowledge. As a result, many companies are now focusing on whether and to what extent their products contain Conflict Minerals and whether such Conflict Minerals come from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the adjoining countries named in the Act. UN Group of Experts (2014) Letter Dated 22 January 2014 from the Coordinator of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Illegal mining in the eastern parts of the country continues to fuel exploitation, child-labour and violence, which in turn denies local people peace, stability and the chance to flourish … This has for some years been a particular problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Production company. The term “conflict minerals” is defined as columbite-tantalite, also known as coltan (from which tantalum is derived); cassiterite (tin); gold; wolframite (tungsten); or their derivatives; or any other mineral or its derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. American companies rely on so-called bag-and-tag systems to assure the minerals they source from Congo … The PPA is a multi-sector and multi-stakeholder initiative that supports supply chain solutions to conflict minerals challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes Region (GLR) of Central Africa. Conflict Minerals. Conflict Minerals in the Congo: Blood Minerals and Africa’s Under-reported First World War 7 genocide. For example, tin extracted in Canada, Russia or Argentina is considered a conflict … Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Conflict Minerals Rebels and Child Soldiers in Congo. On June 17, 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) army deployed close to 800 troops in an attack on its own citizens. Forced labor - Modern slavery - Ethical sourcing - Responsible sourcing - Due diligence - conflict minerals - 3tg - DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo But the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on … Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas provides clarification on the scope of the Guidance by removing language in the Introduction that was perceived to limit its application only to the supply chains of tin, tantalum, tungsten After 1994, 1.2 million Hutus fled to the DRC in fear of the now ruling Tutsis’ reprisal. Enough's investigative partner, The Sentry, is an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to African war criminals and transnational war profiteers and seeks to shut those benefiting from violence out of the international financial system. Congo mine deploys digital weapons in fight against conflict minerals. A man at a gold mine in Chudja, near Bunia, north eastern Congo in February 2009. Consuming the Congo: War and Conflict Minerals in the World's Deadliest Place - Kindle edition by Eichstaedt, Peter. These minerals include Cassiterite (tin), Wolframite (tungsten), Coltan (tantalum), and Gold. This paper provides a spatially nuanced view of the role of mineral resources in civil wars in the particular case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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. A modern experience with real-time updates, predictive search functionality, PwC curated content pages and user-friendly sharing features, Viewpoint helps you find the insights and content you need when you need it. The cobalt industry is lining up to make one thing absolutely clear: cobalt is not a conflict mineral New US regulations that seek to clean up the supply chain of minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) do not apply to cobalt. , The Guidance provides recommendations for responsible mineral supply chains to help companies to respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral or metal … Nonetheless, I still believe that the Dodd-Frank bill – in Section 1502 on the Congo … Yet, despite the large body of literature, the evidence remains mixed. Fastenal has 1000’s of vendors and between standard and Branch Special Stock part numbers, there are millions of skus to consider. Child labor Child labor still rife in Democratic Republic of Congo. The rich mineral mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo supply valuable minerals to the tech industry, but they come at a deadly cost that is finally being faced. The United Nations and other groups are working to block the entry of conflict diamonds into the worldwide diamond trade. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Consuming the Congo: War and Conflict Minerals in the World's Deadliest Place. A mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Smuggling of conflict minerals such as coltan and cassiterite, ores of tantalum and tin, respectively, helped to fuel the war in the Eastern Congo. RUBAYA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - In a small shack overlooking muddy pits hewn out … IPIS is an independent research institute providing tailored information, analysis and capacity enhancement to support those actors who want to realize a vision of durable peace, sustainable development and the fulfillment of human rights. The Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) is a free, standardized reporting template developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) that facilitates the transfer of information through the supply chain regarding mineral country of origin and the smelters and refiners being utilized.