An Investor Guide on Human rights and conflict in mineral supply chains

The First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute has published "Human rights and conflict in mineral supply chains: An Investor Guide," a research report addressing human rights and conflict risks in critical mineral value chains as demand accelerates from the energy transition, AI, and geopolitical competition. 

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) reportedly is the core of the concern: this informal mining supplies a significant share of several critical minerals and employs over 225 million people globally, providing livelihoods but frequently linked to unsafe conditions, child and forced labour, corruption, environmental degradation, gender-based violence and, in some regions, armed conflict financing

Source: adapted from First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute, August 2026.