Areas of application automotive industry.

• Gold: audio amplifier, HV charging electronics, air conditioning
• Tantalum: HV charging electronics, exhaust gas turbocharger, E-machine electronics, coolant pump
• Tungsten: exhaust gas turbocharger, transmission, cobs, tools
• Tin: schock absorbers, wheels, fuel tank

Raw-material-specific risks.

• Human rights abuses in connection with 3TG extraction, transportation or trade
• Child and forced labour
• Direct or indirect support for non-state armed groups or public or private security forces 
• Violation of workers’ rights
• Threats to indigenous peoples and communities
• Negative environmental impacts

Measures taken by the BMW Group.

• Comprehensive regular ESG risk assessment carried out for 3TG supply chains; highest risks identified for material originating from the DR Congo, covered countries and CAHRA
• Raise awareness among Tier 1 suppliers through direct contact, information and training. The aim is to improve the quality of traceability and steadily increase the percentage of certified smelting plants in the supply chain
• Create transparency in the supply chain by systematically querying suppliers on the status of conflict minerals via a questionnaire process and reviewing supply chains using the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRTs) from the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI): Identification of certified smelters that are not supplied by “conflict-affected” mines
• Together with its suppliers, the BMW Group has achieved almost complete traceability for the 3TG minerals in components and tools. In 2022, the supply chain to the smelter was disclosed by more than 500 component suppliers for the previous year, with 64 percent of the supplying smelters considered certified sources.
• Increase the percentage of secondary raw material. By using a closed-loop material cycle, the BMW Group has reduced the amount of primary raw material required for tools by 80 percent since 2021. The remaining primary raw material comes from a certified smelting plant. We collect old drill and screw bits for recycling at our plants in Germany, then use the secondary raw material obtained from this to make new tools. In addition to reducing consumption of primary raw materials, this also reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 60 percent

Initiatives.

• Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI): development of an n-tier certification system within the framework of the RMI