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Global Minerals Overview

Driving Supply Chain Reporting

What are "Conflict Minerals"

Definition

The minerals TIN, TANTALUM, TUNGSTEN and GOLD (also referred to as “3TG”) are considered “conflict minerals” because they are often mined in conditions of armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries.

The scope of conflict minerals has expanded to include non-legislated materials (e.g., cobalt) and are now known as responsible materials.

Warlords Benefit

Responsible materials provide a major source of funding for warlords in the DRC region, fueling the violence that has plagued the region for decades.

People Suffer

These armed groups use violence to intimidate local populations and maintain control of mines, where workers endure extreme conditions with little or no pay. The atrocities in the region have created a massive humanitarian crisis and a death toll of 5.5 million that grows by the day.

How They Affect Us

Responsible materials are used in a wide range of products including mobile phones, computers, jewelry and vehicles. 

That's why automakers (also referred to as Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs) and their supply chain partners work together to make sure global vehicle production doesn't support warlords or further the conflict in the DRC.

How They Affect Us
1

Radiator

  • Copper
2

Engine

  • Aluminum
  • Nickel (turbo charger)
  • Tungsten (crankshaft)
3

Clutch

  • Graphite
4

Transmission

  • Nickel
  • Steel/Iron
5

Microphone/Speaker

  • Rare earth elements
  • Nickel
  • Iron
  • Cobalt
6

LED Display

  • Rare earth elements
7

Interiors

  • Leather
  • Plastics
8

Windows/Windscreen

  • Glass
9

Paint & Pearlescent Finish

  • Mica
  • Cobalt
10

Wheels

  • Graphite (bearings)
  • Steel/Iron
  • Tungsten (bearings & ball joints)
11

Tires

  • Rubber
  • Cobalt
12

Brakes

  • Graphite
  • Steel/Iron
  • Tungsten
13

Catalyic Converter

  • Palladium
  • Plastics
  • Rare earth elements
14

Suspension

  • Steel/Iron
15

Chassis

  • Aluminum
  • Steel/Iron
  • Tungsten
16

Body Panels

  • Steel/Iron

Issues Impacting the Supply Chain

May 1982

Auto Industry Forms AIAG

OEMs and suppliers form the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), whose 4,000+ member companies today collaborate to resolve global ...
August 2010

AIAG Starts Collaborating on Industry Solutions

Drawing on cross-industry stakeholder engagement to identify best practices, AIAG member companies (OEMs and suppliers) begin collabora...
August 2012

SEC Issues Final 3TG Reporting Requirements

Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act imposes U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requirements on publicly-traded companies to r...
May 2014

Conflict Minerals Reporting to SEC Began

Starting in 2014, companies must file a Conflict Minerals Report with the SEC each May 31, for the prior calendar year.
April 2017

Conflict Minerals Reporting to SEC Began

On April 3, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered final judgment in the case and remanded to the Commissio...
2023

EU Battery Regulation

The Battery Directive, now replaced by the The Battery Directive, now replaced by the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542, focuses on materials like cobalt, lead, lithium, and nickel, restricting their harmful forms while mandating increasing levels of recycled content in new batteries and setting strict targets for the recovery of materials from end-of-life batteries. The regulation also restricts mercury and cadmium, introduces a Battery Passport for transparency and traceability, and imposes supply chain due diligence for critical raw materials.
Coming in 2027

ESPR Launch

The The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a major EU legislative framework designed to make sustainable products the default across the European market. It will be fully applicable by early 2027.  ESPR mandates minimizing the use of virgin raw materials, encouraging the use of recycled content and resource-efficient design. Products must be designed for easy disassembly, repairability, and recyclability, especially in sectors like electronics, textiles, and steel.
July 2010

Congress Passes Law on 3TG

Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on Conflict Minerals:  “It is the sense of Con...
April 2011

AIAG and OEMs Issue Call to Action

AIAG works with six of its largest members — Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota — to send a letter to...
August 2012

AIAG Endorses Reporting Tools

AIAG endorses tools developed with partners to help the supply chain source responsibly and meet reporting requirements: the EICC/GeSI ...
August 2015

US Court of Appeals

On August 18, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reaffirmed its initial 2014 judgement that the Secur...
May 2017

EU Conflict Minerals Legislation

In May 2017, the EU passed a new conflict minerals regulation to stop conflict minerals and metals from being exported to the EU, preve...
May 2024

EU Critical Materials

The The European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) is a legislative initiative by the EU aimed at securing a sustainable and resilient supply of critical raw materials essential for the green and digital transitions, as well as for defense and space technologies.

Drivers for Expansion

The Why
Responding to due diligence reporting requests for non-legislated minerals aligned and complementary expectations for practitioners and assessments that allow for mutual recognition of approaches.
External Factors
Various ESG factors including circular economy, growth of shareholder/investor/consumer expectations, human rights concerns and legislation are leading to increased reporting.
Responsible Materials Initiative (RMI)
RMI was founded in 2008 by members of Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) and Global Sustainability Initiative (GeSI). Today, they bring together representatives from industry, government, and civil society for discussions and guidance on best practices in responsible mineral sourcing.
Standardization & Key Stakeholders
Standardization of processes:

OECD standards were developed with stakeholders, including business, civil society and worker representatives, and backed by governments - are global best practice for identifying and addressing risks.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The OECD and its member countries work with other countries, organizations, and stakeholders worldwide to address the pressing policy challenges. They provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.
    Industry Reporting Templates
    The AIAG Responsible Materials Work Group develops common tools and resources to improve industry reporting efficiency and effectiveness. Since 2011, AIAG has contributed to minerals reporting templates and launched web-based data management to track conflict minerals. In partnership with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, AIAG continues to enhance templates for conflict minerals, cobalt, mica, and other minerals. Key tools include the CMRT, EMRT, and AMRT—free, standardized templates that streamline supply chain due diligence and reporting.
    Learn More

    Industry Collaboration

    Shared Responsibility

    Innovation with electrified, connected, and autonomous vehicles has led to a shift and expansion from automotive to mobility more broadly. These and future advancements require supply chain partners to share best practices and business process knowledge across non-traditional automotive sectors. In recognition of this need, AIAG has established cross-sector collaborations with electronics, software, heavy equipment and aerospace industry associations and business consortia.

    Together We Can

    Educate and engage our industry peers and stakeholders

    Create common tools and solutions

    Reduce the cost and complexity of reporting

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    Who We Are

    The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is a unique not-for-profit organization where OEMs, suppliers, service providers, government entities, and individuals in academia have worked collaboratively for more than 42 years to drive down costs and complexity from the automotive supply chain. AIAG membership includes leading global manufacturers, parts suppliers, and service providers.

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