What's the Deal with Conflict Minerals Anyway, and Furthermore Why Should I Care?

     I first learned about Conflict Minerals about 10 months ago when I read The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes by John Prendergast and Don Cheadle (http://www.amazon.com/The-Enough-Moment-Fighting-Africas/dp/0307464822). 

     For me, reading that book was life changing in that the book helped me to realize in a tangible way just how interconnected our lives here in the United States are to those who live in Eastern Congo, and that we (I) do have the power to impact lives half a world away. 

WHAT ARE CONFLICT MINERALS?

     Let's back up a moment from the personal story of my awareness to action, and talk about what exactly Conflict Minerals are. 

     Conflict Minerals wind up in all of our we-love-to-use them electronic devices: cell phones, computers, i-pods/mp3 players, smart phones, digital cameras, video game systems, etc.  The minerals which wind up in these products are: tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold.  Armed groups which reside within Eastern Congo fight to control these mines, leaving innocent civilians in the crossfire, mainly women and children who are all too often the victims of horrific sexual violence.  In fact, Eastern Congo has been deemed one of the worst places on earth to be a woman, or girl.  Here is a short, 4 minute, video created by The Enough Project which will orient you to the basics of what Conflict Minerals are and how you and I are connected to them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF-sJgcoY20.

Source: http://www.enoughproject.org/publications/comprehensive-approach-conflict-minerals-strategy-paper

     Admittedly, the situation in Eastern Congo is layered and complex, however it is undeniable that the power struggle between the various armed groups in Eastern Congo over who controls the mining of the minerals, which are necessary to make our favorite electronic gadgets function, fuels the violence in this region of the world, thereby linking you and I to the women, men and children who live in Eastern Congo in a way that I find profoundly simple to recognize.  

     More importantly, however, the situation in Eastern Congo is not a lost cause, and there are actions we as consumers, our government, and those in industries involved with the purchase and trade of Conflict Minerals can do to positively, peacefully, and powerfully impact the dire situation in Eastern Congo.

     Currently, it is not possible to purchase Conflict Mineral free electronic devises, however that is changing.

SO WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

    There is no denying that we live in a busy world filled with countless causes, both local and global, which are deserving of our attention.  With regard to Conflict Minerals I believe that all of us who utilize electronic devices have the responsibility to at least understand what they are, and how we are connected to them.  By reading this post, you have already fulfilled this responsibility!  

     Now I ask that you read a little further to learn more about what has been done on the legislative and industrial levels to address the mining of Conflict Minerals

What Congress Is Doing About It

     In July of 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  Section 1502 of this Act addresses Conflict Minerals mined from Eastern Congo, and this provision of the law was welcomed both by the Congolese government and human rights advocacy groups alike.  1502 requires companies to audit their supply chains in order to ensure that their products are not supporting violence and atrocities in Eastern Congo.  At this point the delay in implementation of the Conflict Minerals provision lies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

     This past February, Oregon's Senator Ron Wyden signed a joint letter sent by four of his colleagues, and himself, to SEC Chairwoman Mary Schapiro urging the immediate release of the Conflict Minerals regulations as set forth in Section 1502:

Click here to read a larger version of the letter: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0Y-gnkyksE1RDhOcU15WTJuT3c/edit?pli=1

     Senator Wyden, and Senator Merkley, co-signed a similar joint letter which was also sent to SEC Chairwoman Schapiro back in October, 2011: ttp://boxer.senate.gov/en/press/releases/101811.cfm

     This July will mark two years since the passage of Section 1502, which is two years too many for those in Eastern Congo.

What Intel is Doing About It

    In March of this year Intel announced their pledge to offer a conflict free microprocessor (http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/corporate-responsibility/corporate-responsibility-conflict-free-minerals-video.html). While the SEC delays in the implementation of 1502 regulations, Intel recognizes their connection to those suffering in Eastern Congo and is working on the ground there, as well as with those who comprise their supply chains to ensure that Intel's products do not contain Conflict Minerals.   

What You Can Do About It

      The most important thing you can do to help bring an end to the extreme violence in Eastern Congo is to first and foremost be aware (so by all means pass along the link to this blog post too all of your family and friends!).  For you more industrious types, if you check out the links at the bottom of this post you can find simple and easy ways to become more involved.

     Well, I think I've thrown enough information at you for one blog post, but rest assured if you stick with me, I will delve back into the story of my personal journey from awareness to action, and will keep you informed as opportunities present themselves to become involved in the Conflict Mineral Free Movement.

Sources/Action Opportunities: http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/content/conflict-minerals; http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/content/take-action; http://www.easterncongo.org/; http://www2.americanprogress.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=202; http://blogs.intel.com/csr/2012/03/a-conflict-free-minerals-goal/