Konfliktminerale und Lieferkettenmanagement mineralischer Rohstoffe

Translated title of the contribution: Conflict minerals and supply chain management of mineral resources

Felix Giller

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

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Abstract

After the civil wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the neighbouring states, the east of the country is controlled by non-state armed groups. In this region, minerals for the production of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold are mined under conditions that violate human rights. The profits are used to buy weapons and finance conflicts, which is why they are often referred to as conflict minerals. The United States of America and the European Union have enacted laws and regulations prohibiting the import of conflict minerals. The aim of the work is to present and interpret the current national and international regulations on conflict minerals and to point out current problems. The next step is to record the possibilities for creating a transparent supply chain. This is an analysis of the current legal situation and current supply chain systems with the aid of legal texts, technical articles, standards and other literature. A possible application case is presented in practical terms, taking blockchain technology into account. The differences and problems of the current regulations are listed in the thesis. The greatest difficulty is that it has become very hard and expensive to import legally extracted minerals, as the importer has a reporting obligation to prove that they are not conflict minerals. There has been a de facto trade embargo on Congolese imports. Companies have changed suppliers in order to escape the reporting obligation. A transparent and trustworthy supply chain would help to trade legal Congolese products again on the world market. Common methods for creating a transparent supply chain are presented. The blockchain will also be examined, since with this transaction system all parties involved have access to current digital processes, but cannot change them. This would provide the highest possible level of security.
Translated title of the contributionConflict minerals and supply chain management of mineral resources
Original languageGerman
QualificationDipl.-Ing.
Awarding Institution
  • Montanuniversität
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Moser, Peter, Supervisor (internal)
Award date12 Apr 2019
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Bibliographical note

embargoed until null

Keywords

  • Conflict minerals
  • supply chain
  • blockchain
  • Congo
  • supply chain management
  • artisanal mining
  • Dodd-Frank Act
  • OECD Guidelines on due diligence for supply chains of mineral commodities from conflict-affected and high-risk areas

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