Is Coltan a conflict mineral?

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

Why is coltan called a conflict mineral?

Simply put, “conflict minerals” get their name because they are mined and sold by regions experiencing some type of conflict. In these areas, countless human rights violations occur in the pursuit of valuable minerals.

What is coltan and why is it important?

Coltan is used primarily for the production of tantalum capacitors, used in many electronic devices. Coltan is important in the production of mobile phones; and tantalum capacitors that are used in almost every kind of electronic device.

What is conflict coltan what groups benefited from the trade in conflict coltan what groups were hurt by it?

What groups were hurt by it? Conflict Coltan when refined produces tantalum. Conflict minerals are tantalum, tungsten, tin and gold. Locals in the mining groups benefit from the trade of these minerals along with local traders and regional traders.

Why is gold considered a conflict mineral?

Gold has emerged as the most lucrative conflict mineral because it is easy to smuggle small quantities for large profits. The conflict gold trade starts at mines controlled by armed groups in eastern Congo, where approximately 40 percent of the miners working in harsh and dangerous conditions are children.

What are some examples of 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.

How many people have died from conflict minerals?

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.

Are diamonds a conflict mineral?

These minerals are essential in the manufacture of a variety of devices, including consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. The extraction and sale of blood diamonds, also known as “conflict diamonds“, is a better-known phenomenon which occurs under virtually identical conditions.

Why are there no conflict diamonds in Canada?

Because of a lack of monitoring in the Kimberley Process, conflict diamonds can continue to enter the diamond trade. Once a diamond is polished, it is impossible to identify its origin through scientific methods. No jewellery retailer can guarantee that the diamonds they‘re selling are conflict-free.

What are the 4 conflict minerals?

The EU regulation covers tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold because these are the four minerals that are most often linked to armed-conflicts and related human rights abuses, so it makes sense to focus on them.

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.

How is Apple addressing the issue of conflict minerals?

Apple also supports whistleblower initiatives to empower independent, local voices to raise issues and report incidents at the mining level and works to strengthen industry-wide due diligence programs operating in areas where 3TG minerals are sourced.

Does AMD use conflict minerals?

Conflict Minerals Policy Statement

For the purposes of this policy, AMD uses the definition of “Conflict Minerals” found in the SEC conflict minerals rule. AMD is committed to achieving conflict-free certified sourcing of materials used in our products.

What companies 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.

Are conflict minerals bad?

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.

Does Samsung use conflict minerals?

Samsung considers environmental deterioration and human rights violations in conflict areas in 10 African countries, including DR Congo, as serious ethical issues. Because of this, we have banned the use of conflict minerals – including tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold – that are mined unethically in conflict regions.

Does Sony use conflict minerals?

We have a conflict minerals policy. Sony exercises due diligence on the source and chain of custody of high-risk minerals in our supply chain to determine supplier compliance with our policy. We follow the OECD Guidance or other internationally recognized frameworks when conducting such due diligence for 3TG.