Technology hardware, software and services provider HP says it is keeping a close watch on smelters and refiners in a bid to reach the company’s conflict-free mineral goal.

Tantalum, tungsten, tin and gold are metals typically found in technology devices. But these metals are also at risk of being conflict-minerals because they are sourced from the likes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The DRC is a country where militant and rebel groups have smuggled and sold these metals to fund violent operations.

The problem is severe enough that the US has implemented the Dodd Frank Act, which calls for the disclosure of the presence of conflict minerals in electronic companies’ supply chains. Europe is also planning similar legislation.

Several companies have therefore acted on conflict-minerals, even before the Dodd Frank Act came into full effect this year.

Intel; for example, moved over the last five years to ensure that the 86 smelters it uses across the globe commit to using conflict-free minerals. HP says it has also been working to address this issue since 2007, when it helped establish the Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI).

And Jay Celorie, HP conflict minerals programme manager, wrote in a blog post late last month that his company views the smelter chain as being key to solving the conflict-mineral problem.

“An important part of reaching our conflict-free goal lies with the smelters and refiners.

“These groups are a critical part of the mineral supply chain because they source the minerals — which means they are best positioned to scrutinise the chain of custody and ensure that we are sourcing from conflict-free locations.

“We have worked with the industry to directly engage with smelters since 2010 to explain both the importance of auditing and how the process works. In April 2013, HP published its smelter list after an independent review of our smelter identification process,” Celorie said.

Celorie noted that HP has engaged with smelters since 2010 to explain both the importance of auditing and how the process works. In April 2013, HP also published its smelter list after a review of its smelter identification process.

“Recently, along more than a thousand other companies, we filed our Conflict Mineral Report with the US government. But transparency and reporting is only one part of the solution.

“Initiatives such as the Conflict-Free Smelter Program, coordinated by CFSI, independently validate the sourcing practices of smelters and refiners. The initiative publishes its information so that we can make better decisions about the suppliers we choose.

“We need to reach a critical mass of smelters and refiners that choose to source conflict-free minerals. HP is aggressively engaging smelters and asking our suppliers to do the same,” Celorie wrote.