Ethical Sourcing
Tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold, or the 3T’s and gold, are identified under the U.S. Conflict Minerals Law as conflict minerals. Revenue from the illegal trade of these minerals can be used to help fund illegal armed groups, most notably in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Tantalum is used in most electronic products. Approximately 15-18 percent of the world’s supply of tantalum comes from the DRC. Tens of thousands of people in the DRC depend on artisanal mining, many operating in regions where conflict is not present. Ceasing operations in the region threatens their livelihood.
The Solutions for Hope project created an initial flow of tantalum that will help enable miners to work and conflict-free systems to be developed in the DRC.