Intel is committed to the responsible sourcing of minerals – sourcing done in an ethical and sustainable manner that safeguards the human rights of everyone in our global supply chain.
Over a dozen years ago, Intel began work to responsibly source conflict minerals1 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. Since then, we have expanded our efforts to also address cobalt as well broader human rights issues and geographies in our supply chain.
We are proud of the significant progress we have made as a company and as an industry, but we know that there is more work to be done. A key technology initiative in our 2030 RISE strategy is to significantly expand our impact in responsible minerals and accelerate the creation of new sourcing standards.
In 2021, we sent our first expanded minerals survey for aluminum, copper, nickel, and silver to suppliers who contribute these materials to our Intel manufactured microprocessors. This is an important step in our RISE strategy as we begin mapping our supply chains for our highest priority minerals. To contribute to standards and help define and engage in due diligence within the copper supply chain, Intel is an active partner member of The Copper Mark. Additionally, we continue to partner with industry associations to ensure standards are in place to enable our ultimate goal of responsible sourcing for all the minerals in our supply chain. We will continue to identify the highest priority minerals in pursuit of our 2030 RISE Goals.
Intel’s mission is to maintain the positive progress we’ve made to date on 3TG2 and cobalt, and to address risks as they emerge from the expanding scope of minerals and geographies. We will continue to advance responsible sourcing across our product lines and materials as our business and the world landscape continues to evolve.
We are proud of the significant progress we have made toward the responsible sourcing of minerals in our supply chain, as well as the positive outcomes to people who live and work in mining communities.
In late 2019, Intel was part of a delegation of non-governmental organizations, US government representatives, and other technology companies that visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Rwanda to observe and discuss challenges facing the mining industry. The delegation was organized by the Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA), where Intel holds a leadership position. A key takeaway from this experience was the need for corporations to increase upstream program support to ensure sustainability and improve the livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities tied to our supply chain. In response, Intel has developed a more comprehensive program to partner with our peers and vetted NGOs to increase mining community support as a complement to our due-diligence program.
A few examples of projects supported by Intel since 2020 are:
- City of Joy (via the PPA), a group providing healthcare, education, and holistic rehabilitation to survivors of gender violence in Congolese mining communities.
- Congo Power, an alliance providing mining areas with clean power.
- PACT-RMI Youth Vocational Training Program, aimed at providing mining alternatives to Congolese youths.
- Development of the first North American DRC-specific library collection with a strong emphasis on Congolese perspectives, at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Library.
The Intel team’s fact-finding trip (video) was completed before the coronavirus pandemic halted most air travel — but helped guide Intel’s recently announced 2030 Corporate Responsibility Goals as they relate to responsible sourcing.
More: Intel Tracks Responsibly Sourced Minerals (video); Responsible minerals sourcing (video).
What Are Conflict Minerals?
Tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold are referred to as conflict minerals1. They are integral to the technology and other things we rely on every day: from laptops, phones, and tablets to cars, airplanes, lighting, and jewelry. Conflict minerals have been linked with funding killings, violence, rape, and other human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs).
We recognize that broad collaborative efforts among governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society experts, and industry are needed to identify and mitigate the risk of contributing to serious human rights abuses and conflict related to mineral extraction.
Since conducting our first supply chain survey in 2009, Intel has consistently engaged our direct suppliers on the conflict minerals issue. Our annual supply chain survey requests suppliers to identify the smelters and refiners and countries of origin of the tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold in products they supply to us using the RMI’s Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT).
Our annual conflict minerals disclosure filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) contains additional information regarding our 3TG2 due diligence practices.
Learn more about our efforts to source minerals responsibly in the links below.
Intel Policy
Intel's policy on sourcing minerals responsibly.
SEC Filing
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Our White Paper
Intel's efforts to achieve a responsible minerals supply chain.
Corporate Responsibility Report
Transparency is at the heart of our commitment.
For Our Customers: Conflict Minerals and Cobalt Declaration
Submit a request to download Intel’s CMRT and EMRT.
For Our Suppliers: Intel's Supply Chain Expectations
Get information on working with Intel including policies, expectations, and more.
Product and Performance Information
"Conflict minerals", as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is a broad term that means tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold, regardless of whether these minerals finance conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or adjoining countries.