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Certificate of origin for mineral resources to be introduced in Africa, March 11, 2012 In a pilot study, BGR has developed a laboratory method for tracing the origin of tantalum, tin and tungsten ores. With this "Analytical Fingerprint" (AFP), ore concentrates from Central Africa can be traced to their origins, thus ensuring that the ores sold on the market have been mined in conflict-free situations. In this context, BGR has been assisting the regional African organisation ICGLR (International Conference on the Great Lakes Region) in the introduction of a certification system for mineral resources. In collaboration with the national authorities in several countries, BGR will be providing equipment for laboratories, where samples will be collected and specimens for subsequent analyses produced. The mineralogical and geochemical analyses are to be carried out in a central laboratory in this region. In addition to guaranteeing conflict-free resources, the certification system aims to improve the working conditions of mine workers and to obtain fair prices for the ores. |
