Conflict Minerals

Conflict minerals, whether metal ores or refined metal minerals, are mineral resources whose sales revenues may be used to finance military and guerilla operations that are linked to the violations of human rights. For example, the sale of gold, tantalum, tin and tungsten have helped to fund armed conflicts in Central Africa, namely in the Eastern Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The challenge related to conflict minerals is the widespread use of the metals concerned in various industries and the identification of the chain of ownership and origin of these metals as they move across a global supply chain. Once the metals have been refined and ores from different sources have been combined, it is increasingly difficult to trace their origin.

Due to the concentration of PGM ores in such locations as South Africa, Russia, the United States and Canada, and the high technological and financial investments needed to fund and operate a PGM mine, there is literally no likelihood of finding PGMs mined under illegal conditions.

Due Diligence Schemes - Conflict Minerals

Due diligence schemes have been set up to ensure responsible supply chains of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. They provide management recommendations for global responsible supply chains of minerals to help companies to respect human rights and to avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral or metal purchasing decisions and practices.

As a service to our members and the public we have listed due diligence schemes relevant for the field of precious metals (whereby there is a strong focus on gold at the moment).