SEC Adopts Final Conflict Minerals Rules

On August 22, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted final rules relating to "conflict minerals" originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries (currently, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) (together the "Covered Countries"). Adoption of the rules was required pursuant to section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The minerals regulated under these rules are: cassiterite (tin), columbite-tantalite (tantalum), gold, wolframite (tungsten), any additional minerals as determined by the Secretary of State and their derivatives.