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Close-up of semiconductor hardware.

Saying no to conflict minerals

Sourcing responsible minerals to protect children’s rights in conflict-affected areas and the environment

The importance of sourcing
Holding a smartphone in one hand and touching the screen with the other
responsible minerals
A man is working on a laptop on solar energy panels.
for everyday electronic devices

The importance
of sourcing
Holding a smartphone in one hand and touching the screen with the other
responsible
minerals
A man is working on a laptop on solar energy panels.
for everyday
electronic
devices

Refugges are walking in front of a camp at sunset.

Even as we speak, there is an ongoing conflict between armed groups in certain mineral-rich areas of Central Africa. They are waging war against each other to gain control over minerals that are substantial sources of income. The minerals are used to fund the purchase of weapons and main troops, and child labor is used to mine them.

In central African regions embattled in
conflict, 7-year-old children work in mine
shafts, unprotected

According to a report by the human rights organization Amnesty International, children as young as seven years old are subjected to hard labor in mine sites for one or two dollars a day without any protective clothing.

Amid international
efforts to regulate
minerals mined illegally from
conflict areas,

Samsung is committed
to
sourcing
responsible
minerals

Sky view of a factory with smoke billowing out.

Tantalum, tin, tungsten, gold and cobalt are commonly used in a wide range of electronic products, and they are among the most illegally exploited minerals in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. When tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold are used to finance conflict in such conflict-affected and high-risk areas, the U.S. and international society classify them as “conflict minerals” and restrict their distribution.

“Responsible minerals” are minerals
mined through a process that respects
human rights and the environment and
do not finance conflict

Responsible minerals refer to minerals that are sourced in a way that respects human rights and the environment. Samsung strives to manage a supply chain of responsible minerals by ensuring our partners comply with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.

Samsung takes
part in
global initiatives such as
the RMI and EPRM

RMI, EPRM, Cobalt for Development logos.

To establish a conflict-free minerals management system and create a standard for smelter certification, Samsung works with other global companies by taking part in umbrella organizations such as the RMI and the EPRM. In 2019, Samsung also launched the “Cobalt for Development” project with BMW Group and BASF and commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to promote responsible mining practices that comply with human rights. In 2020, Volkswagen joined the initiative. In addition to offering training to cobalt miners, the project has also offered the local community better access to education and new income opportunities with training in farming and financial literacy.

The Samsung Electronics Sustainability
Report and the Samsung Electronics’
Responsible Minerals Report

Samsung published its 14th Sustainability Report in 2021 as part of its efforts toward continued transparency and by sharing its social, economic and environmental value creation achievements with various stakeholders. Published regularly, the Responsible Minerals Report communicates the efforts that Samsung is making to safeguard the future and protect the environment through a robust supply chain management system and partner participation.

Samsung Electronics
Sustainability Report

2021 Responsible
Minerals Report

As a responsible global
company, Samsung
continues to strive for a
better future for
humanity and the
environment

  • Samsung manages responsible sourcing with the Global Supplier Relationship Management (G-SRM) System

    Responsible Minerals Management Process

    Infographic showing the sequence of Samsung Electronics' G-SRM system, a responsible mineral management system. G-SRM System
    • Raise supplier
      awareness
    • Inspect the use of
      conflict-affected
      and high-risk
      minerals along the
      supply chain
    • Conduct
      reasonable due
      diligence and
      verification based
      on inspection
      results
    • Verify and assess
      risk factors within
      the supply chain
    • Develop
      improvement plans
      for risk and report
      relevant data

    Complying with the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM), and OECD standards and collaborating with these organizations in managing the process

    To help ensure the sourcing of responsible minerals and manage risks throughout the supply chain, Samsung has implemented the G-SRM System. The system helps promote awareness of the importance of responsible minerals throughout the global supply chain and enables partners to carry out inspections for the use of conflict-affected and high-risk minerals as well as preventive measures against anticipated risks. Materials or parts that do not meet the G-SRM System standards are restricted from being purchased, preventing minerals not responsibly sourced from entering the supply chain.

  • All Samsung partners comply with the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP)

    RMAP-certified smelters (Unit: No. of smelters)

    Bar graph-shaped infographic showing the status of RMAP certification of conflict minerals smelters working in cooperation with Samsung Electronics.
    2018 258 (100%)
    2019 261 (100%)
    2020 240 (100%)

    Samsung only uses minerals from smelters certified by the RMAP, a third-party responsible-mineral-sourcing program validated by the Responsible Business Association (RBA). As a result, minerals illegally mined in conflict-affected and high-risk areas, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are not used in Samsung products. In addition, we have a strict policy that minerals from the waste generated from sites in Korea are to be treated only at smelters that have received RMAP certifications.

    Samsung is also striving to achieve a circular economy for minerals. We strengthened our waste management policy so minerals from waste and waste electronics are sent only to RMAP-certified smelters. To promote this practice, we are working with the Korea Urban Mining Association to encourage smelters in Korea to obtain RMAP certification.

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