Chipmaker Intel says it has stopped using conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to build microprocessors as US legislation to curb the sale of the metals kicks in this year.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Intel chief executive officer Brian Krzanich said minerals used in microprocessor silicon and packages manufactured in Intel's factories have become ‘conflict-free’.

He added that third-party audits and direct validation by Intel's supply chain organisation have ensured that the company is using ‘conflict-free’ materials.

"Two years ago, I told several colleagues that we needed a hard goal, a commitment to reasonably conclude that the metals used in our microprocessors are conflict-free," Krzanich said.

"We felt an obligation to implement changes in our supply chain to ensure that our business and our products were not inadvertently funding human atrocities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Even though we have reached this milestone, it is just a start. We will continue our audits and resolve issues that are found."

Electronics industry’s dependence on DRC minerals

Electronics manufacturers have come to rely heavily on minerals such as gold tungsten, tin, and tantalum (or refined coltan) to help build their gadgets.

But all of these minerals are found in Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo, where militant and rebel groups have smuggled and sold “conflict minerals” to fund violent operations that seek control of the country and its resources.

Complicating the situation, the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) says -- in a document detailing a May 2013 conference on DRC conflict minerals -- that “the production of, and trade in, legal minerals takes place side-by-side with the production of, and trade in, ‘conflict minerals’ in conflict zones”.

And speaking at the SARW conference, Professor José Makidi stressed that one key way to bring the violence to an end could be to cut off key sources of funding for rebel groups – particularly the illicit trade in minerals from war-torn regions.

SARW says campaigns have already been undertaken in the US and Europe to encourage consumers to boycott conflict minerals and to convince legislators to opt for legal ways to prevent these products from entering the West.

US move to curb conflict mineral trade

In early 2014, US companies have to comply with the Dodd Frank Act which calls for the disclosure of the presence of conflict minerals in their supply chains.

Companies covered by the Dodd Frank Act must publish details of their efforts to check their supply chains by May 2014.

Meanwhile, in September 2013, approximately 2,946 companies were identified to have conflict minerals compliance programmes in progress towards compliance with Section 1502 of Dodd-Frank, according to Claigan Environmental Inc.

The defeat of M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has also renewed hope that trade in conflict minerals could fall.

Intel distances itself from other controversies

Apart from halting the use of conflict-free minerals, Intel has also attempted to move away from the controversy surrounding John McAfee.

Intel disclosed plans to transition its McAfee antivirus and security software products to the Intel Security brand “while retaining the familiar red shield.”

The move comes as the original founder of McAfee, John McAfee, has been embroiled in allegations of drug use and murder.

McAfee even released a YouTube video last year entitled ‘How To Uninstall McAfee Antivirus’ that drew widespread attention.

Chipmaker outlines other future plans

Krzanich, in his CES keynote, further highlighted Intel-developed designs for wearable devices that include smart earbuds with biometric and fitness capabilities.

He also debuted Intel Edison, a technology-based computer housed in an SD card form factor with built-in wireless capabilities and support for multiple operating systems.

Meanwhile, Intel also announced that it is the world’s first microprocessor company to support devices that combine Microsoft Windows and Google Android operating systems in a single device.