Conflict minerals

After lengthy interinstitutional negotiations concluded in a trilogue agreement with the Council of the European Union in November 2016, the European Parliament was due to adopt its first-reading position, during the March II 2017 part-session, on a proposed regulation laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, as well as their ores, and gold originating in conflict-affected areas.

The proposed regulation sought to break the link between certain armed conflicts and the illegal mining operations which sustained them, and to ensure responsible sourcing for European industries.

Author: Marta Latek

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