'Conflict minerals' needed for cell phones

Everence, Praxis launch campaign to pressure cell phone companies.

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Praxis Mutual Funds and Everence are calling on electronics producers and retailers to pursue ways to end the conflict minerals industry. Praxis Mutual Funds are advised by Everence Capital Management.

And now shareholders and other individuals can make their voices heard through an e-mail campaign launched by Praxis Mutual Funds.

“Children and adults are forced—through rape and brute force—to work in mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” says Mark Regier, director of stewardship investing for Everence and Praxis Mutual Funds. “The reason for the violence is, sadly, to extract minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, which are essential in the manufacturing of our most common electronic devices, such as cell phones.”

In accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, electronics manufacturers in the United States will be required to trace and disclose their possible exposure to conflict minerals.

Some of the largest companies are pushing back on the new legislation, claiming that tracing mineral sources is nearly impossible due to complicated and entangled global supply chains.

In an effort to encourage electronics manufacturers to understand the magnitude of the issue, Praxis and Everence hope to garner support for conflict-free devices among cellular service providers.

Shareholders and other individuals can send e-mail messages to their cell phone providers asking for conflict-free phones, via an online e-mail submission form available at www.praxismutualfunds.com.

“We’ve launched this e-mail campaign as a way to give individuals a voice,” says Regier. “If cell phone companies know their consumers want conflict-free phones, we hope they will help us convince electronics companies to take steps to ensure they are not purchasing conflict minerals.”

In addition to the conflict minerals e-mail campaign, Praxis and Everence are in conversation with electronics companies regarding conflict minerals and how the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act can help companies find new ways to do business while also caring for our global neighbors.

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