ABSTRACT
Business enterprises involved in the exploitation of mineral resources sourced from conflict zones are at risk of financing armed activities and fuelling human rights abuses. This chapter first analyses the initiatives developed by the UN and OECD in order to prevent negative impacts associated with mineral extraction and the relationships with suppliers operating in conflict areas. Second, it focuses on a recently undertaken EU initiative to tackle trade in minerals originating from these areas, with the aim of ascertaining whether and to what extent this tool is consistent with the international standards on responsible sourcing.
