Gold, tantalum, tin and tungsten mined in certain areas of The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries are designated as conflict minerals*, as they finance armed groups in the region that involve in anti-government activities and human rights abuses.
SATO Group recognizes the importance of the international society working together to reduce trade in conflict minerals, and has set a policy to not use conflict minerals in its products.
We ask all our suppliers to understand our policy and cooperate with us in our surveys and audits.
*Section 1502 (“Conflict Minerals Statutory Provision”) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted on July 21, 2010, defines conflict minerals as below. It requires companies to report to SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) their use of conflict minerals that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country.
(A) Columbite-tantalite (coltan; the metal ore from which tantalum is extracted), cassiterite (the metal ore from which tin is extracted), gold, wolframite (the metal ore from which tungsten is extracted), or their derivatives; or,
(B) Any other mineral or its derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. (SEC's final rules on conflict minerals)