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Article

16 Nov 2017

Author:
Annie Callaway, The Enough Project

Demand the supply: ranking consumer electronics and jewelry retail companies on their efforts to develop conflict-free minerals supply chains from Congo

The Enough Project’s 2017 conflict minerals company rankings examine 20 of the largest companies...in two of the industries which consume the most tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold [often referred to as conflicts minerals or 3TG]: consumer electronics and jewelry retail...Enough chose to rank these two industries in particular because they have demonstrated the potential to be catalytic in the development of new policies and practices regarding responsible sourcing, and they are also particularly attuned to consumer pressure. These latest rankings acknowledge the steady advances that have been made since Enough conducted its first company rankings in 20102 and expose the considerable and urgent need for more action...

...Companies were ranked based on four core categories of criteria:

1. Conducting Conflict Minerals Sourcing Due Diligence and Reporting...

2. Developing a Conflict-Free Minerals Trade and Sourcing Conflict-Free Minerals from Congo, Particularly Gold...

3. Supporting and Improving Livelihoods for Artisanal Mining Communities in Eastern Congo...

4. Conflict-Free Minerals Advocacy

...Companies and industries must be held accountable to ensure progress [in decreasing violence and exploitation in mining areas] continues, and these rankings serve as a tool for consumers and investors to do that...

[Also refers to Alphabet, Apple, Costco, Helzberg Diamonds, HP, IBM, Intel, J.C. Penney, Macy's, Microsoft, Neiman Marcus, Panasonic, Samsung, Sears, Signet, Sony, Target, Tiffany, Toshiba, and Walmart]

[See company responses here]