Do No Harm: Excluding Conflict Minerals from the Supply Chain
Publisher: Global Witness
Author(s): Global Witness
Date: 2010
Topics: Extractive Resources
Countries: Congo (DRC)
This paper argues that the due diligence that companies using minerals or metals originating from eastern DRC needs to undertake consists of:
- A conflict minerals policy
- Supply chain risk assessments, including on the ground checks on suppliers
- Remedial action to deal with any problems identified
- Independent third party audits of their due diligence measures
- Public reporting
The report outlines each of these elements and makes suggestions on how companies can put them into practice.
By putting these measures in place, companies can help to create a mining sector in eastern DRC that brings real benefit to the people who live there. A due diligence-based approach to sourcing minerals and metals is not about imposing blanket bans on trade; it is about ensuring that business does not perpetuate armed violence, serious human rights abuses and other crimes.