Blood Diamond, Conflict Mineral & Illicit Supply Chain Blockade Treaties
An operational unit of the Fighting Crimes & Injustices Diplomatic Coalition Division, negotiating international treaties to sever the connection between conflict minerals, illicit supply chains, and the financing of armed groups — ensuring that the global demand for diamonds, cobalt, coltan, and other minerals does not fund the violence and exploitation that devastates mining communities.
Mission & Operational Scope
Severing the Link Between Consumer Demand and Conflict Financing
The global demand for diamonds, cobalt, coltan, gold, and other minerals has financed some of the most brutal armed conflicts of the past three decades. The Kimberley Process made progress on blood diamonds but left significant gaps, and the broader conflict minerals challenge — encompassing the minerals essential to modern electronics and electric vehicles — remains inadequately addressed. Supply chains that connect artisanal mining in conflict zones to consumer products in wealthy nations are long, complex, and deliberately opaque, making it difficult to trace the connection between a purchase and the violence it may have funded.
This unit negotiates international treaties that strengthen supply chain transparency, expand conflict mineral certification frameworks, and impose corporate due diligence obligations that make it impossible for companies to profit from conflict minerals without accountability.
Governing Doctrine
International Standards & Frameworks
- KPKimberley Process Certification Scheme — diamond supply chain certification framework applicable as model and baseline for expanded conflict mineral treaty development
- OECD DDGOECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains — five-step due diligence framework for conflict-affected and high-risk area mineral sourcing
- EU CMREU Conflict Minerals Regulation — mandatory due diligence obligations for tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold importers applicable as model for international treaty development
- UNGPsUN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights — corporate due diligence obligations applicable to conflict mineral supply chain human rights impacts
Operational Capabilities
Six Core Functions
01
Kimberley Process Reform & Expansion
Advocate for and negotiate reforms to the Kimberley Process that close the gaps allowing conflict diamonds to enter legitimate supply chains — expanding the definition of conflict diamonds, strengthening certification standards, and improving enforcement mechanisms.
02
Conflict Mineral Certification Expansion
Develop international certification frameworks for conflict minerals beyond diamonds — including cobalt, coltan, gold, and the minerals essential to electric vehicle batteries and consumer electronics — establishing the traceability systems and certification standards that enable responsible sourcing.
03
Corporate Supply Chain Due Diligence Treaties
Negotiate international treaties requiring corporate supply chain due diligence for conflict minerals — establishing binding obligations that require companies to identify, prevent, and remediate conflict mineral sourcing risks throughout their supply chains.
04
Artisanal Mining Formalization Programs
Develop international frameworks for artisanal and small-scale mining formalization — recognizing that sustainable conflict mineral solutions require providing legal, safe, and economically viable alternatives to the informal mining that armed groups exploit.
05
Conflict Mineral Sanctions Coordination
Coordinate international sanctions targeting the armed groups, intermediaries, and companies that profit from conflict mineral trafficking — developing the targeted financial sanctions, asset freezes, and trade restrictions that impose costs on conflict mineral networks.
06
Consumer Transparency & Traceability Standards
Develop international consumer transparency and mineral traceability standards — establishing the blockchain-based provenance systems, product disclosure requirements, and consumer information frameworks that enable informed purchasing decisions and market pressure for responsible sourcing.