Congo Conflict Mineral Disclosure Act Introduced
May 8th, 2009
Companies registered in the US that sell products using columbite-tantalite (also known as coltan), cassiterite or derivatives from minerals from Democratic Republic of Congo or neighboring countries will be required to annually disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission the origin of those minerals. This provision is contained in new legislation called the Congo Conflict Mineral Act 2009 (S.891) introduced on April 23 the by Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Russ Feingold (D-WI).
The sale of minerals is linked to the funding of killings, atrocities and rapes crimes committed by armed groups in Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congo Conflict Mineral Act brings accountability and transparency to the importation and sale of mineral products from Congo by disclosure of their origin. Cassiterite, Colton and tantalite are minerals commonly used in cell phones, laptop computers and other electronic products used by millions of people in the United States and other developed countries.
In addition to the disclosure of origin, the Congo Conflict Mineral Minerals Act takes the following actions:
- Calls on the United States Government to support multilateral efforts to investigate, monitor and stop all activities of extractives resources that contribute to violations by illegally armed groups.
- Requires the State Department to monitor closely the financing of armed groups in mineral rich Eastern Congo.
ACT TODAY, contact your Senators to tell them that you support this legislation and ask them to co-sponsor and support the Congo Conflict Minerals Act – S.891. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, and ask the operator to connect you with your Senator’s office.
More information about the mineral conflict situation in Congo: Raise Hope for Congo
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