Congo Asks U.S. to Use OECD Guidance for Conflict-Mineral Rules

The Democratic Republic of Congo appealed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to prevent forthcoming conflict-mineral rules from causing a “de-facto embargo” on trade from the Central African nation.

The SEC, which is writing regulations for companies dealing in minerals from war-torn eastern Congo, should follow due-diligence guidance developed by the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mines Minister Martin Kabwelulu wrote in a July 15 letter published on the commission’s website.