March 6, 2017
Dear Commissioner Piwowar,
Just like the majority of Americans, I own devices that rely on minerals sourced from countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold are precious metals that are critical for our 'smart' devices -- and I firmly believe that with proper Federal oversight, these minerals can be sourced sustainably and without lining the pockets of war lords.
I am writing to express my support for the continued implementation of the Conflict Minerals Rule. As a consumer, it is important to me that I am able to access key information about the companies I purchase from, including information about their conflict minerals sourcing practices. I've used this information to inform my purchases in the past, favoring companies like Intel and HTC, which score higher than companies with more opaque supply chains.
I do not want my purchases to support violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Conflict Minerals Rule has made it easier for me to assess which companies are taking steps to ensure their products are not linked to this decades-long conflict. Additionally, I believe transparent supply chains are an important indicator of a companys overall stability, which is a key factor not only in purchasing decisions, but also when choosing where to invest.
I urge you to keep the Conflict Minerals Rule fully intact, and to work with your fellow SEC commissioners to enforce the Rule moving forward.