This entry was posted on behalf of Carolyn Duran, "Conflict Free Minerals" program manager at Intel.About a month ago, I shared some exciting news about Intel's participation in a program called "Solutions for Hope" in which we are participating in a pilot with AVX, among others, to establish a process that can deliver conflict-free tantalum. This pilot is continuing to move forward, but I wanted to talk to you about another initiative in which Intel is participating.
This new program is the Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade, which was recently announced in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is a joint effort of the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, non-governmental organizations and companies, including Intel. This significant effort is focused on establishing long term solutions to demonstrating credible conflict-free sourcing of tin, tantalum, gold and tungsten from the region. Additionally, this effort supports those involved in responsible minerals trade while ensuring that the mining of these metals does not fund conflict in the area. Combined, the U.S. government and industry are expected to contribute over five million dollars to this effort over the next several years.
To me, this is another way that we are actively supporting the development of solutions to a conflict free supply chain, both within Intel and beyond. Intel has been actively engaged in developing a conflict free supply line since early 2009 (for more information, see our white paper on these efforts) and will continue to strive for this moving forward. Alliances such as the PPA just announced are critical to meeting the conflict-free goal while still bolstering legitimate economic development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes Region, and we are pleased to be a part of this effort.
Linda is passionate about sustainability and corporate responsibility. She manages communications for Intel's Public Affairs and Sustainability organization. She graduated from the UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources with a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resource Studies.