Common Types of Conflict Minerals

Conflict minerals are natural resources extracted in regions where armed conflict, human rights abuses, or severe social instability are prevalent. The revenues generated from mining and trading these minerals often finance armed groups, perpetuating cycles of violence, forced labour, and corruption.

Over the past decade, global awareness of conflict minerals has grown, prompting governments, NGOs, and corporations to implement regulations and ethical sourcing standards. Understanding the most common types of conflict minerals is essential for industries, policymakers, and consumers seeking responsible supply chains.

Conflict Mineral 1: Tin (Cassiterite)

Tin, primarily sourced from cassiterite ore, is a soft, malleable metal widely used in soldering, plating, and electronics manufacturing. Its significance in electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and printed circuit boards makes it a high-demand mineral. Unfortunately, in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries, tin mining has frequently been linked to armed groups that control mines and trade routes. These groups exploit local labour, often under hazardous conditions, while profiting from the mineral trade. Global initiatives like the Dodd-Frank Act in the United States require companies to disclose the sourcing of tin from conflict-affected regions, encouraging greater transparency and ethical practices.

Conflict Mineral 2: Tantalum (Coltan)

Tantalum, derived from the mineral coltan (columbite-tantalite), is a refractory metal highly valued for its heat resistance and excellent conductivity. It is a critical component in the production of capacitors, which are used in electronic devices ranging from smartphones to medical equipment. Coltan mining in conflict zones, particularly in the DRC, has been associated with armed militias exploiting local communities and engaging in violent clashes over control of mining areas. The mineral's strategic importance in technology and defence industries has heightened international scrutiny, leading to supply chain audits and responsible sourcing programmes aimed at breaking the link between tantalum and conflict financing.

Conflict Mineral 3: Tungsten (Wolframite)

Tungsten, often obtained from wolframite ore, is known for its exceptional hardness and high melting point, making it essential in industrial applications such as cutting tools, drilling equipment, and military ordnance. In regions plagued by instability, tungsten mining can fund armed groups while exposing workers to unsafe conditions, including exposure to toxic dust and unregulated mining practices. Due to its role in both industrial and defence applications, tungsten is closely monitored in conflict mineral legislation, with initiatives focused on improving traceability and encouraging sourcing from conflict-free regions.

Conflict Mineral 4: Gold

Gold is perhaps the most infamous of the conflict minerals due to its high value, portability, and historical association with financing conflicts. In conflict zones, gold mining often occurs in small-scale, artisanal operations where oversight is minimal. Armed groups frequently exploit miners, enforce child labour, and divert revenues to sustain violent campaigns. Beyond financing conflict, gold mining in these areas has severe environmental and social consequences, including deforestation, water contamination, and community displacement. To mitigate these risks, international frameworks such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance provide a roadmap for responsible gold sourcing, encouraging companies to verify supply chains and support conflict-free practices.

Conflict Mineral 5: Cobalt

Although less commonly highlighted in traditional conflict mineral lists, cobalt has increasingly drawn attention due to its essential role in rechargeable batteries, particularly for electric vehicles and portable electronics. The majority of cobalt is mined in the DRC, where child labour, unsafe working conditions, and armed group involvement remain serious concerns. Ethical sourcing of cobalt requires rigorous supply chain auditing, partnerships with certified mines, and investment in traceable production methods to ensure that the mineral does not contribute to exploitation or conflict financing.

Addressing the Challenge of Conflict Minerals

While tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold, and cobalt are the most frequently cited conflict minerals, the broader issue encompasses any resource whose extraction fuels violence or human rights abuses. Addressing the problem requires a combination of legislative action, corporate responsibility, and consumer awareness. Governments in the United Kingdom, European Union, and other regions have enacted regulations mandating transparency in mineral sourcing, compelling companies to identify and mitigate risks within their supply chains. Corporations increasingly adopt due diligence programmes, supply chain audits, and conflict-free sourcing initiatives to avoid inadvertently funding armed groups.

Non-governmental organisations and certification programmes, such as the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), provide guidance, resources, and third-party auditing services to help companies maintain ethical sourcing practices. Meanwhile, consumers are increasingly demanding products made from responsibly sourced minerals, incentivising businesses to prioritise conflict-free supply chains.

Conclusion

Conflict minerals represent a complex intersection of natural resource exploitation, armed conflict, and global supply chain ethics. Tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold, and cobalt are the most commonly affected minerals, each playing critical roles in modern technology while also posing serious ethical and social challenges when sourced from conflict-affected regions.

By implementing robust supply chain due diligence, supporting responsible mining practices, and fostering transparency, industries can reduce the link between minerals and violence. Advanced materials suppliers such as SAM, in particular, carry a significant responsibility to uphold environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, ensuring that the raw materials powering our technology do not perpetuate conflict but instead contribute to sustainable and ethical industrial development.