OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict Affected and High Risk Areas : Third Edition Trade and investment in natural mineral resources hold great potential for generating income growth and prosperity sustaining livelihoods and fostering local development. However a large share of these resources is located in conflict affected and high risk areas. In these areas exploitation of natural mineral resources is significant and may contribute directly or indirectly to armed conflict gross human rights violations and hinder economic and social development. The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict Affected and High Risk Areas provides step by step management recommendations endorsed by governments for global responsible supply chains of all minerals in order for companies to respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral or metal purchasing decisions and practices. The Due Diligence Guidance for minerals may be used by any company potentially sourcing any minerals or metals from conflict affected and high risk areas and is intended to cultivate transparent conflict free supply chains and sustainable corporate engagement in the minerals sector.