Chemical elements such as tungsten, tin, and gold are essential in the production of computer chips. However, they are often sourced from countries which are in the grip of armed conflict, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where workers are mistreated and forced to work in brutal conditions. In fact, a tussle over the control of mineral wealth is one of the major factors of the unremitting violence in the DR Congo. According to a report by the United Nations Security Council Committee, these “conflict minerals” are a source of wealth for armed groups, and are contained in several other electronic devices.
A few years ago, President Barack Obama had signed a federal law that requires computer companies to investigate and report whether their products contain minerals from these affected areas. The law was part of the Dodd-Frank Act, passed in July 2010.
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