Conflict minerals originating from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries (DRC Region) are mined and sold to groups engaged in armed conflict and human rights violations. The conflict minerals are tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (called 3TG). Some of these minerals can become part of supply chains of products that are manufactured and used around the world. The DRC is also the world’s largest producer of cobalt and holds more than 50 percent of the global cobalt reserves. Cobalt is used in lithium-ion batteries that form an integral part of electric automobiles, mobile phones, and laptop computers.
As part of corporate responsibility and respecting human rights, RAONTECH is committed to work with our supply chains to source responsibly and provide “conflict-free” products that do not directly and indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the DRC Region. RAONTECH expects our suppliers to follow similar polices and provide the products which contain conflict-free minerals. RAONTECH will do the following actions:
Expect our suppliers to source conflict-free material and provide conflict-free products.
Expect and encourage our suppliers to exercise due diligence continuously with OECD due diligence guidance for responsible supply chains for minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk area.
Expect our suppliers provide the due diligence information and provide the smelter list information to confirm 3TG used in our supply chain is conflict-free.
Expect our suppliers provide the due diligence information over cobalt supply chains in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance by RMI.
Expect our suppliers to disclose cobalt information on smelters and refiners they sourced from and to ensure the cobalt mining activities be free from human rights violations, including the use of child labor and unsafe working conditions.
Commit in the implementation of this policy by monitoring the supplier’s activity and provide the assurance of conflict free provider.