How are conflict minerals used in smartphones?
Smartphones have become an essential tool in everyday life over the last ten years. We upgrade them every year or two to make sure we have the latest, top-of-the-line technology. But did you know that smartphones contain more than 40 different minerals, four of which are considered to be conflict minerals? Conflict minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) are mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are mired in poverty and violence. The mining of these metals aids the funding of armed conflict in the region.
As many of the mines that are linked to conflict minerals are illegal, they do not comply with environmental regulations and are therefore highly damaging to the environment. Common environmental issues include soil erosion and land and water pollution which can lead to public health problems and depletion of resources the local communities are reliant on. The lack of food and water leads to hunger and malnutrition.
In a smartphone, these metals are essential in the construction. Tin is used to fuse metal components, tantalum is used in capacitors, which contain electrical energy. Gold is used in circuit board connectors and Tungsten is used in the components that make a phone vibrate.
How are the largest smartphone manufacturers addressing this?
Apple
Apple has a responsible minerals sourcing program that requires suppliers to review reported incidents and public allegations linked to their smelters and refiners and to participate in 3TG traceability and independent third-party audits to mitigate identified risks
Since 2009, Apple has removed 198 3TG smelters and refiners from its supply chain ( 10 tantalum, 60 tin, 27 tungsten, and 101 gold smelters and refiners).
As of December 31, 2022, 100 percent of the identified smelters and refiners in their supply chain for all applicable Apple products manufactured in 2022 engaged in or completed an independent third-party conflict minerals audit for 3TG. As a result, they removed 23 smelters and refiners from their supply chain, including those that were not willing to participate in or complete an independent third-party audit, or that did not otherwise meet our requirements for the responsible sourcing of minerals, through a $50 million Supplier Employee Development Fund which was launched in 2022.
20 percent of all material used in Apple products in 2021 was recycled, 3TG was prioritized in their initial efforts to transition to recycled and renewable materials, based on an evaluation of the environmental, social, and supply impacts of 45 mined elements and raw materials.
They continue to source 3TG and other minerals, such as cobalt and lithium, responsibly, while working to improve conditions in and around mining communities, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) and adjoining countries.
Samsung
Samsung ensures its supply chain is compliant with the OECD Due Diligence guidance. They also participate in forums and umbrella organizations such as the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) and the Responsible Mineral Initiative (RMI) to remove conflict minerals from their supply chain and support responsible mineral sourcing. They claim to have a conflict-free mineral management system. that prohibits the use of minerals sourced from conflict-affected and high-risk areas such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They only use minerals from smelters certified by global, independent third-party organizations
They continuously monitor their mineral sourcing partners and are expanding their sourcing efforts. In 2021 they monitored seven minerals which includes the four conflict minerals (3TG) and in 2022 this has expanded to a total of nine (3TG, cobalt, molybdenum, lithium, copper, and nickel). The number of minerals will continue to expand in the upcoming years.
Samsung uses RMAP-certified smelters to ensure that the minerals sourced have been mined ethically regardless of origin. They do not ban sourcing from any specific regions, including Africa, as this may undermine the progress that is being made to mine responsibly. They provide suppliers with clear guidelines, training, and education support to raise their awareness of conflict minerals. Samsung also conducts regular inspections on the use of conflict minerals throughout our supply chain by reviewing the information submitted by suppliers and by carrying out on-site inspections as needed.
We cannot find any information where Samsung has dropped a supplier due to unethical practices and we are also unsure of how often these inspections occur.
So what else can smartphone manufacturers do to avoid sourcing minerals linked to human rights abuses?
It can be challenging for companies to guarantee that their products are ‘conflict free’, as complex supply chains make tracing the origin of minerals difficult. Mines classified as conflict-free are sometimes near places where violent conflict is ongoing.
Global Witness, an international NGO, published a report in 2022 indicating that companies including Apple and Samsung may rely on a supply chain due diligence scheme that is used to launder conflict minerals from the DRC. In one mining area, they found that up to 90% of minerals did not come from mines validated for meeting security and human rights standards.
Using recycled materials can reduce the pressure of using conflict minerals alongside more stringent supply chain due diligence practices. There is a deeper issue at hand, which is political. We need to address the root causes of the problem. As a consumer, it is important to demand the company’s we purchase our products from to be fully engaged in the regions they source their materials from. A long-term commitment to promote sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries is necessary. This should include investing in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and supporting responsible mining practices. This should be deeply embedded in any company’s philanthropic practices when they are making billions in revenue due to the minerals sourced from these countries.