There were two major conflict minerals news items circulated in the last week - both revealed on May 14, 2010. The two items are as follows:
Obama Administration's Call to the End-Users of Conflict Minerals
On Friday, the Associated Press released that the Obama administration is strongly encouraging American industries to end their use of conflict minerals. At a meeting at the State Department, officials met with select executives from electronics and automotive companies who are currently using tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold.
These companies are currently lobbying against initiatives which demand complete transparency for raw materials in the supply chain.
Tell INTEL
Portland's own writer/activist Lisa Shannon has organized a protest at INTEL Corp.'s campus in Hillsboro to bring attention to their use of conflict minerals such as coltan / tantalum in their capacitors and circuitry. INTEL Corp. has shown reluctance to support the Conflict Minerals Trade Act (HR4128), a bill by Washington Congressman Jim McDermott.
Lisa Shannon and others will travel to INTEL Corp.'s campus to encourage them to make changes in their raw materials purchasing process to stop supporting the purchase of conflict minerals.
INTEL's products are used to make some of today's popular electronics such as those by brands DELL and APPLE.
Lisa Shannon founded a grassroots effort to raise awareness and funds for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo through her project Run for Congo Women.
The gathering is to occur Monday, May 17, 2010, at 12:30pm. For more information: http://athousandsisters.com/blog/
