Knowra Conflict minerals Conflict minerals Conflict minerals are minerals whose extraction or trade finances armed groups or sustains violence. The term is used especially for supply chains linked to conflict in the African Great Lakes region.
Artisanal mining : Small-scale mineral extraction that relies heavily on manual labor and simple tools. Many conflict-linked minerals come from informal mines where armed actors can impose taxes or control access.
Second Congo War : A 1998–2003 war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo involving regional states and numerous armed groups. The war intensified attention to the resources and trade networks sustaining violence in the region.
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas : An OECD framework describing risk-based due diligence for mineral supply chains in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. It provides a widely used practical framework extending beyond one country or mineral list.
Conflict diamonds : Diamonds whose trade has financed rebel movements opposing recognized governments, especially during African civil wars. They are a distinct and earlier-focused case of minerals financing armed conflict.
Mineral supply chain : The linked stages through which minerals are extracted, processed, traded, and incorporated into products. Conflict financing can pass through several commercial stages before minerals reach manufacturers.
United Nations Panel of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo : A United Nations body that investigated sanctions violations and resource exploitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its reports documented links between armed actors, mineral extraction, and commercial networks.
Responsible Minerals Initiative : An industry initiative that supports responsible mineral sourcing through tools, assessments, and smelter and refiner programs. Its programs help companies assess upstream suppliers and processing facilities.
3TG : The shorthand for tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold, the minerals covered by key United States conflict-minerals rules. The statutory category is narrower than the broader everyday use of conflict minerals.
Due diligence : A process for identifying, preventing, and addressing risks associated with business activities and supply chains. Companies use it to investigate whether mineral purchases support armed groups or abuses.
Kimberley Process : An international certification scheme intended to prevent trade in rough diamonds used to finance rebel movements. Its earlier effort to address conflict diamonds helped shape debate over broader mineral controls.
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