The term Conflict Minerals describes 4 elements – Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten and Gold, and is commonly referred to as 3TG. … More specifically, it is the origin of these minerals that is important, and whether the ore used to produce these base metals stems from mines illegally controlled by Government troops and militias.
What are 3TG used for?
These so-called ‘conflict minerals’ such as tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold, also referred to as 3TG, can be used in everyday products such as mobile phones and cars or in jewellery. It is difficult for consumers to know if a product they have bought is funding violence, human rights abuses or other crimes overseas.
What are the 5 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. Downstream companies often refer to the extracts of these minerals as 3TG.
Where is 3TG from?
3TGs are derived from the minerals cassiterite, coltan and wolframite. The US government and other regulatory bodies label 3TGs as ‘conflict minerals’. Conflict minerals are sourced from areas where mineral mining funds conflict or human rights abuses are occurring.
Where are 3TG minerals mined?
The 3TGs supply chain includes minerals produced in Central- and Eastern Africa.
Is tungsten a conflict mineral?
The four metals, tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold are always defined as conflict minerals irrespective of their origin or if the mining has financed any armed groups or not.
What are 3TG materials?
Every consumer electronic device produced, including computers, monitors, gaming systems, and cell phones use four key minerals essential to their function: Tantalum, Tungsten, Tin, and Gold, also known as the “3TG” minerals, and for the purposes of our discussion, Conflict Minerals.
Are Conflict Minerals illegal?
Conflict minerals are not illegal and would be nearly impossible to remove from global supply chains, but that doesn’t mean they are without risk. … The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals has become that international standard for most activities.
Are diamonds conflict minerals?
The World Diamond Council estimates that 99% of all diamonds are now conflict-free.
Is gold a mineral?
Native gold is an element and a mineral. It is highly prized by people because of its attractive color, its rarity, resistance to tarnish, and its many special properties – some of which are unique to gold. … Although there are about twenty different gold minerals, all of them are quite rare.
What minerals are in blood?
Red Blood Cell Minerals
- Calcium Ca.
- Chromium Cr.
- Copper Cu.
- Magnesium Mg.
- Manganese Mn.
- Molybdenum Mo.
- Potassium K.
- SeleniumSe.
Why are conflict minerals called 3TG?
The four most commonly mined conflict minerals (known as 3TGs, from their initials) are cassiterite (for tin), wolframite (for tungsten), coltan (for tantalum), and gold ore, which are extracted from the eastern Congo, and passed through a variety of intermediaries before being purchased.
Why is cassiterite A conflict mineral?
Overview of the Conflict Minerals Issue Armed groups controlling mines smuggle minerals out of the DRC and the proceeds are used to further finance conflict and perpetuate criminal behavior; hence, cassiterite, coltan, wolframite and gold are considered conflict materials.
What is conflict gold?
What is conflict gold? The trade in conflict minerals—tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold—is one of the primary drivers of violence in eastern Congo, where the world’s deadliest war rages. … From there, gold is sold to smugglers, who illegally transport it to neighboring Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania.
What are conflict mines?
Conflict Minerals refer to raw materials or minerals that come from a particular part of the world where conflict is occurring and affects the mining and trading of those materials. … These minerals are used in a wide range of products including mobile phones, computers, jewelry and vehicles.
Where are most of the 3TG conflict minerals in the DRC located?
The majority of the Congolese 3TG conflict minerals are smuggled to the neighboring countries of Rwanda and Burundi, and ultimately find their way through complex supply chains into finished consumer and industrial products.
What are conflict minerals used for?
Conflict minerals are resources that are mined and used to influence and finance armed conflict, human rights abuses, and violence.
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.
Is tungsten harmful to humans?
Tungsten has been the subject of numerous in vivo experimental and in vitro studies in view of determining its metabolic and toxicity profile. However, tungsten and its compounds are not considered very toxic for humans. Most existing human toxicology information comes from chronic occupational exposure.
Is lapis lazuli conflict mineral?
It’s been mined in Afghanistan and traded along the Silk Road since ancient times. … Afghanistan’s mineral assets could earn the government up to $2 billion a year, according to Global Witness.
Is zinc a conflict resource where?
Civil society organisations argue that a wide variety of minerals, ranging from copper, iron ore, zinc, nickel, silver and many others are also associated with conflict all around the world. … Copper is produced in 11 countries where mineral sourcing is associated with violent conflict.
What is tin and tungsten for?
Tin can be found in the lenses in your eyeglasses, the cans your food comes in, as well as various pipes, plastics, and fitness equipment. Tungsten is extremely heat resistant, which makes it ideal for many tools, appliances, light bulbs, and electrical wires and contacts.
What are blood diamonds used for?
blood diamond, also called conflict diamond, as defined by the United Nations (UN), any diamond that is mined in areas controlled by forces opposed to the legitimate, internationally recognized government of a country and that is sold to fund military action against that government.
What is DRC conflict free?
(D)For purposes of this paragraph, a product may be labeled as “DRC conflict free” if the product does not contain conflict minerals that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. …
What has the US done to limit conflict minerals within the country?
The “conflict minerals” provision—commonly known as Section 1502 of the Dodd Frank Act—requires U.S. publicly-listed companies to check their supply chains for tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold, if they might originate in Congo or its neighbours, take steps to address any risks they find, and to report on their efforts …
Who is required to file a conflict minerals report?
Per the SEC final rule, a company that is required to provide a conflict minerals report only is required to report on “the efforts to determine the mine or location of origin with the greatest possible specificity” for only those products/product categories that have not been described as “DRC conflict free.” …
Is Lithium a conflict mineral?
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) has studied what it calls “green conflict minerals” (cobalt, nickel, lithium, rare earths and aluminum).
Do blood diamonds still exist 2020?
It shows that the production of conflict diamonds still exists in Sierra Leone. According to the 2005 Country Reports on Human Right Practices of Africa from the United States, serious human rights issues still exist in Sierra Leone, even though the 11-year civil conflict had officially ended by 2002.
Is Blood Diamond true story?
he Kimberley Process grew out of a 2000 meeting in Kimberley, South Africa, when the world’s major diamond producers and buyers met to address growing concerns, and the threat of a consumer boycott, over the sale of rough, uncut diamonds to fund the brutal civil wars of Angola and Sierra Leone—inspiration for the 2006 …
Is Danny Archer from blood diamond real?
Danny Archer is a fictional character appearing in the 2006 film Blood Diamond. He is portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio.
Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.