Global Advanced Metals Joins the AVX “Solutions for Hope” Project

Global Advanced Metals Joins the AVX “Solutions for Hope” Project

All tantalum ore for export is subject to a final-stage, independent on-the-ground assessment

GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 10, 2012) — AVX Corporation, a leading manufacturer of advanced passive components and interconnect solutions, announced today that US-based Global Advanced Metals’ tantalum processing division, (GAM Technology), the first tantalum smelter to achieve EICC/GeSI Conflict-Free Smelter validation in December 2010, has joined the AVX “Solutions for Hope Project.” GAM Technology will process the fourth shipment of validated conflict-free tantalite ore mined from the world’s first BGR Green Flag validated tantalum mine site, the Mai Baridi/Luba mine complex in the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This particular site uses the ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative’s (iTSCi) “bag and tag” scheme, which subjects all tantalum ore set for export to a final-stage independent on-the-ground assessment.

The “Solutions for Hope Project,” established in July 2011, works with leading OEMs such as Motorola Solutions, Intel, and HP to deliver a “closed-pipe” process for delivering conflict-free tantalum material from the DRC under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Incorporation of the independently-validated Conflict-Free Smelter (CFS) program was noted by the US Ambassador to the DRC, Barrie Walkley, in his keynote speech to the EICC/GeSI in April 2012. “We strongly commend the leading efforts of the companies behind the Solutions for Hope project, including AVX, Motorola, HP and MMR,” Walkley concluded.

The “Solutions for Hope Project” remains the only project to exclusively utilize EICC/GeSI- validated Conflict-Free Smelters for processing tantalum ore into capacitor-grade materials. “We are delighted to participate in this project, to help deepen its roots within the electronic supply chain, and to promote ethical, sustainable and scalable mineral sourcing from this region in what, we hope, will be the first of many such projects,” commented Andrew O’Donovan, president of GAM Technology. AVX is the first in its industry to validate a closed tantalum pipe process, assuring all products contain only conflict-free tantalum in accordance with the principles of the Dodd-Frank legislation and the current OECD guidelines.

“AVX will continue its leading role by working with major electronics companies such as Motorola Solutions, HP, Intel, Nokia, RIM, Motorola Mobility, and now, GAM Technology in the Solutions for Hope program. This program demonstrates that verifiably conflict-free tantalum material can be mined and shipped in a manner that is reliable, sustainable and expandable, allowing the DRC to be utilized as a trusted regional source for responsible minerals,” said Bill Millman, Tantalum Divisional Director of Quality and Technology.

For further information on this project, please contact Bill Millman at AVX: +44 (0) 1803 697211 or

AVX: www.avx.com

Global Advanced Metals (GAM): www.globaladvancedmetals.com