Conflict Minerals: To Stop Conflict Minerals, Make European Firms Establish Origin of Supply Chain - Expert

May 10, 2016 | Magdalena Mis, Thomson Reuters Foundation
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European companies should be required by law to establish the origin of the minerals they use in their products to put an end to the trade in gold, tin and other minerals mined in conflict zones, a leading expert said on Tuesday. Campaigners have long raised concerns that proceeds from mining many of the minerals used in electronics are used to finance warring parties and prolong conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and elsewhere. To encourage companies to responsibly source minerals they use, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued guidance in 2010 for responsible mineral supply chains, however its implementation by firms is voluntary.