Conflict Minerals refer to the minerals and the metals extracted thereof as Cassiterite (Tin), Columbite-Tantalite/ Coltan (Tungsten), Wolframite (Tantalum) and Gold (those metals Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum and Gold referred to as 3TG), which are extracted from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its adjoining countries (“Covered Countries”).
As most of the mining activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its adjoining countries are related to conflict armed groups, the mining of Conflict Minerals in these areas is often associated with severe human rights violations and environmental pollution, which has led to a long-term instability in the region.
To comply with laws and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises as well as the UN Global Compact Guiding Principles, undertake corporate social responsibility and fulfill our commitments to our clients, vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “vivo”) opposes armed conflicts, human rights violations and environmental damage involved in mineral mining. vivo has initiated and will continue to perform proper due diligence in the supply chain and is committed to achieving conflict-free certified sourcing of Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum and Gold in its raw materials to avoid products containing Conflict Minerals that originate from the Covered Countries that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups.
vivo uses the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) to perform due diligence on Conflict Minerals in the supply chain, encourage suppliers to purchase from certified smelters and require them to ensure their products not contain Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum or Gold that originate from the Covered Countries that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups. In addition, vivo requires its suppliers to guarantee the accuracy of information provided on Conflict Minerals reports, as well as formulate a corresponding management system to strengthen their supply chain management.
If any Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum or Gold in the raw materials are found to come from an uncertified smelter or from the Covered Countries, vivo will take appropriate measures to switch to other materials or change suppliers.
vivo also encourages our suppliers to apply the same principles in their supply chain management and implements the following requirements on suppliers:
1. The materials provided by suppliers to vivo shall not contain Conflict Minerals that originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and its adjoining countries that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups;
2. Suppliers shall strengthen supply chain management, establish relevant policies on Conflict Minerals, and conduct a review of their supply chain to ensure the legality of sources of raw materials;
3. Suppliers shall cooperate with Conflict Mineral investigations, provide accurate information, and make the guarantee not to use Conflict Minerals.
vivo fully understands the importance of Conflict Mineral investigations to society, enterprise, and partners and is committed to do due diligence in the supply chain, undertaking corporate social responsibility and will promote sustainable development to achieve a Conflict-Free supply chain. Besides, vivo encourages all suppliers to jointly promote the sustainable development of the supply chain.
Covered Countries presently include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.