Verizon has taken a step in the right direction by joining the Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade, a group of concerned businesses and governmental organizations that is calling for action to address conflict minerals concerns while delivering solutions that benefit those involved in responsible minerals trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa.
In joining the PPA, Verizon is supporting the development of pilot programs that will result in scalable, self-sustaining systems that enable businesses to source fully-traced and validated minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There is much more work to be done, but we are proud to be a part of this important initiative that will help stop the violence in the region.
The tragic conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo involves militants who control lucrative mineral deposits and sell them to finance military operations. Millions of people have died as a result over the past two decades. Those minerals — tin, tantalum and tungsten ores — are key elements of consumer electronics products such as cell phones, personal computers and MP3 players.
While Verizon does not buy raw materials, manufacture devices, or produce any electronic equipment directly, we work to ensure that all of our products are responsibly manufactured by our suppliers. Our Supplier Code of Conduct and Human Rights Statement makes clear that we expect suppliers to conduct business with integrity and respect.
As a member of the Global eSustainability Initiative, Verizon has supported processes to eliminate conflict minerals in the consumer electronics supply chain. GeSI members are taking action by increasing supply chain transparency; developing and piloting an auditing process for smelters to validate conflict-mineral-free components; and engaging with other stakeholders for collaboration and efficiency.
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