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The Council Recommendation was revised on 17 July 2012 to include the Gold Supplement. While not legally-binding, the Recommendation reflects the common position and political commitment of adhering countries which include all 34 OECD countries, and 9 non-OECD countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Peru, and Romania).
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The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas was developed to help companies respect human rights, avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral sourcing practices, and to cultivate transparent mineral supply chains and sustainable corporate engagement in the mineral sector.

 

The Guidance is the result of a multi-stakeholder process with in-depth engagement from OECD and African countries, industry, civil society, as well as the United Nations. Three consultations were held in Paris in December 2009 and April 2010 and a joint ICGLR-OECD consultation in Nairobi in September 2010 (see meeting links below). As a result, the Guidance is a practical approach to due diligence implementation with an emphasis on collaborative constructive solutions to complex challenges.

 

This project was undertaken in response to calls from the international community:

• the 2009 L’Aquila G8 Summit encouraged the OECD to co-operate with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and “engage with key stakeholders to further develop practical guidance for business operating in countries with weak governance”
• the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region asked for co-operation and assistance from the OECD to curb the illegal exploitation of natural resources
• the 2007 G8 Heiligendamm Declaration on Growth and Responsibility in the World Economy endorses the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Risk Awareness Tool for Multinational Enterprises in Weak Governance Zones, supporting their wider understanding in the mining sector
• a UN Security Council Presidential Statement stressed the importance of the OECD Risk Awareness Tool for Multinational Enterprises in Weak Governance Zones for promoting responsible business conduct and avoiding the illegal exploitation of natural resources in countries in conflict

 

This work contributes to G20 efforts on combatting financial crimes linked to the exploitation of natural resources. The project was managed by the OECD Investment Committee and the OECD Development Assistance Committee, in collaboration with non-OECD partners. See an overview of the project (PDF). 

 

Letters of co-operation Response from the OECD to the Minister of Forestry and Mines, Republic of Rwanda Letter from the Minister of Forestry and Mines, Rwanda Letter by the Chair of the Investment Committee to the Coordinator of the UN Expert Group on the Democratic Republic of Congo on cooperation Letter from the Coordinator of the UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Chair of the Investment Committee Letter by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to the OECD Secretary-General Response by the OECD Secretary General to the Ministry of Mines, Democratic Republic of Congo on cooperation Letter by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to the OECD Secretary-General

 

Documents and links

• OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
   
• List of useful resources (PDF) 
    
• Draft Hypothetical Critical Scenarios (PDF) presenting common challenges facing mining companies pursuing due diligence worldwide, particularly in conflict zones and fragile states, in areas of human rights, environment, transparency, corruption and the supply chain.
    
• English 
   
• OECD Risk Awareness Tool for Multinational Enterprises in Weak Governance Zones 

Meetings

• OECD-ICGLR Conference, 29-30 September 2010 - Nairobi, Kenya, 29-30 September 2010, Nairobi, Kenya.
   

• Second expert meeting of the working group, 28 April 2010 - Key outcomes of the second expert meeting of the OECD hosted working group (PDF) and Full report of the second expert meeting of the OECD-hosted working group (PDF)
   
• Summary of the first private sector consultation (PDF), 8 December 2009