EX-1.01 2 d496164dex101.htm EX-1.01 EX-1.01

Exhibit 1.01

CONFLICT MINERALS REPORT OF

Ouster, Inc.

FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD FROM

JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 2022

 

I.

Introduction

This is the Conflict Minerals1 Report of Ouster, Inc. (“we,” “our,” “us,” “Ouster,” or the “Company”) prepared for calendar year 2022 in accordance with Rule 13p-1 (“Rule 13p-1”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”). Numerous terms in this Report are defined in Rule 13p-1 of the Act and SEC Release No. 34-67716 (August 22, 2012) under the Act (the “Adopting Release”). The reader is referred to these sources for the definitions of defined terms contained herein.

In accordance with Rule 13p-1, we undertook efforts to determine the presence and source of the conflict minerals within our products. The Company designed its efforts in conformity with the internationally recognized due diligence framework set forth in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas2 (“OECD Due Diligence Guidance”) and related Supplements.

The statements below are based on the activities performed to date in good faith by the Company and are based on the infrastructure and information available at the time of this filing. Factors that could affect the accuracy of these statements include, but are not limited to, incomplete supplier data or available smelter data, errors or omissions by suppliers or smelters, evolving identification of smelters, incomplete information from industry or other third-party sources, continuing guidance from the SEC, and other issues.

 

II.

Overview

Company Profile

Ouster, Inc. is a leading global provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors that offer advanced 3D vision to machinery, vehicles, robots, and fixed infrastructure assets, which allows each to understand and visualize the surrounding world and ultimately enabling safe operation and autonomy. We design and manufacture digital lidar sensors that we believe are the highest-performing, lowest-cost lidar solutions available today across each of our four target markets: industrial automation; smart infrastructure; robotics; and automotive.

 

1 

The term “conflict mineral” is defined in Section 1502(e)(4) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as (A) columbite-tantalite, also known as coltan (the metal ore from which tantalum is extracted); cassiterite (the metal ore from which tin is extracted); gold; wolframite (the metal ore from which tungsten is extracted); or their derivatives; or (B) any other mineral or its derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) or an adjoining country.

2 

OECD (2016), OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Third Edition, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264252479-en

Our product offering today includes four models of sensors in our OS product line: the hemispherical view OSDome, the ultra-wide field of view OS0, the mid-range OS1, and the long-range OS2. Within our OS sensor models, we offer numerous customization options, all enabled by embedded software. For each of our three models in the OS product line, we offer resolution options of 128 lines vertically (“channels”), 64 channels, or 32 channels, as well as many beam spacing options. We are currently developing our solid-state DF product line, which is a suite of short, mid, and long-range solid-state digital lidar sensors that provide uniform precision imaging without motion blur across an entire field of view. In October 2022, we announced the launch of our newest OS series scanning sensors, REV7, powered by our next-generation L3 chip. REV7 features the all-new OSDome sensor, as well as upgraded OS0, OS1, and OS2 sensors that deliver double the range, enhanced object detection, increased precision and accuracy, and greater reliability. The new REV7 sensors offer performance upgrades that we believe will enhance Ouster’s market opportunity, driven by new opportunities for longer-range and mapping applications.

Following the February 2023 merger with Velodyne Lidar, Inc. (“Velodyne”), we added three additional sensor products and a software solution to our portfolio. The VLP-16, VLP32, and VLS-128 lidar sensors expand the price and performance range of our offering and have a sizeable existing install base. We intend to continue to sell these products when they present a fit for key customer requirements.

The Company evaluated its current product lines and determined that during 2022, conflict minerals were likely necessary to the functionality or production of products we manufactured or contracted to manufacture. The Company, as a purchaser of component parts, is many steps removed from the mining of conflict minerals. We do not purchase raw ore or unrefined conflict minerals and we conduct no purchasing activities directly in the DRC or adjoining countries.

Conflict Minerals Policy

The Company developed a policy statement to support the goals expressed by Congress in enacting Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The policy highlights the Company’s commitment to complying with the reporting and due diligence obligations required by the SEC rules and the Company’s expectations from its suppliers. The policy resides on our corporate website (https://investors.ouster.com/governance/governance-documents/default.aspx).

Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry Information

We have conducted a good faith reasonable country of origin inquiry (“RCOI”) to determine whether the necessary conflict minerals originated in the DRC or an adjoining country or came from recycled or scrap sources.

The Company’s RCOI process included reviewing the products manufactured or contracted to be manufactured during the Reporting Period to identify products that should be deemed in-scope as described by the Adopting Release and conducting an inquiry of our direct suppliers of the in-scope products using the Responsible Minerals Initiative’s (“RMI”) Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (“CMRT”). Based on the results of our RCOI which indicated sourcing from the DRC or an adjoining country, we exercised due diligence on the source and chain of custody of the conflict minerals in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. Our due diligence efforts are discussed further in this Conflict Minerals Report.

 

2

Due Diligence Program Design

The Company designed its conflict minerals program to conform, in all material respects, with the five-step framework of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the Supplement on Tin, Tantalum, and Tungsten, and the Supplement on Gold, specifically as they relate to our position in the minerals supply chain as a “downstream” company:

Step 1: Establish strong company management systems

Step 2: Identify and assess risks in the supply chain

Step 3: Design and implement a strategy to respond to identified risks

Step 4: Carry out an independent third-party audit of smelter/refiner’s due diligence practices

Step 5: Report annually on supply chain due diligence

 

III.

Due Diligence Measures Performed by The Company

The following describes the measures taken to reasonably determine the country of origin and to exercise due diligence in the mineral supply chain in conformance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.

Step 1: Establish strong company management systems

 

a.

Conflict minerals team – The Company established a conflict minerals team that includes individuals from the relevant business units and departments including legal and finance. The team was structured to include the involvement from those in upper management roles, including the Assistant Controller and the Chief Financial Officer, to help ensure that critical information, including the Company’s conflict minerals policy, reached relevant employees and suppliers.

b.

Conflict minerals policy – The Company adopted and published a policy establishing the expectations of our suppliers. The policy resides on our corporate website (https://investors.ouster.com/governance/governance-documents/default.aspx).

c.

Company level grievance mechanism – As recommended by the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the Company has a grievance mechanism in place as a risk-awareness system for conflict minerals issues. Stakeholders, internal and external, can communicate directly and confidentially with our compliance officer.

d.

Records management – The Company will maintain records relating to our conflict minerals program in accordance with the recommended record retention guidelines of five years.

Step 2: Identify and assess risks in the supply chain

We performed the following steps as part of our risk assessment process:

 

a.

Identified products in scope – Our conflict minerals team conducted a detailed review of the products manufactured or contracted to be manufactured during the Reporting Period to identify products that should be deemed in-scope as described by the Adopting Release.

b.

Conducted RCOI – The Company utilized the most recent version of the industry-developed CMRT to query our suppliers for conflict minerals information. We requested this information from the Tier 1 suppliers who provide materials and components for the products deemed in-scope by our conflict minerals team. We evaluated the responses from the templates submitted by our suppliers to determine our reporting obligation based on this RCOI. See Appendix I for a list of countries of origin identified through the RCOI process.

 

3

c.

Identified smelters or refiners (“SORs”) – The Company compiled a list of SORs in our supply chain using our suppliers’ responses in their CMRTs. The Company reconciled this list to the list of smelter facilities designated by the RMI’s Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (“RMAP”). The RMAP completes independent, third-party audits of smelters and refiners to determine which can be validated as having systems in place that help ensure the minerals are responsibly sourced according to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. The Company also utilized information provided by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), and Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) cross-recognition audit programs. The Company maintains a database of smelter aliases to reconcile suppliers’ smelters lists to the list of RMI SORs. We have provided that list in this report within section IV – Product Description; Processing Facilities.

Step 3: Design and implement a strategy to respond to identified risks

We performed the following steps as part of our risk management plan:

 

a.

Designed and implemented a plan – Our team reviews the responses to verify the validity of SORs reported by our suppliers, the audit status of such SORs and the country of origin of the minerals processed at such facilities.

 

b.

Identified SORs – As part of the risk mitigation process, the Company reconciled the list of SORs collected from suppliers to the list of smelter facilities validated by the RMI. The Company maintains a database of smelter aliases to reconcile suppliers’ smelters lists to the list of RMI SORs.

Step 4: Carry out independent third-party audit of smelter/refiner’s due diligence practices

The Company is using information provided by independent third-party audit programs, including the RMI RMAP, LBMA, and RJC, to confirm the existence and verify the OECD-conformance status of SORs identified during our due diligence.

Step 5: Report annually on supply chain due diligence

Accordingly, this Conflict Minerals Report has been filed with the SEC and is available on our website at https://investors.ouster.com/financials/sec-filings/default.aspx.

 

IV.

Product Description; Processing Facilities

Product Description – Using an array of eye-safe lasers, our lidar solutions measure distances in the environment at the speed of light. Unlike camera-based solutions, lidar solutions allow machines to see in 3D by providing precise distance measurements of surrounding objects. Lidar also performs better than cameras in low light conditions and produces fewer errors. Compared to radar, lidar provides better resolution, perceiving objects’ shapes for superior object detection and classification. Lidar systems currently being tested are designed to detect pedestrians equally well during daytime and nighttime conditions because the systems provide self-illumination by means of laser beams.

 

4

In October of 2021, Ouster acquired Sense Photonics, Inc. (“Sense”) a developer of solid-state flash lidar based on VCSEL and SPAD technology. This acquisition has enabled the development of our DF sensor line which leverages technology and engineering expertise from both companies. In February 2023, Ouster merged with Velodyne, a global player in lidar sensors solutions. As a result, we currently offer two digital lidar product lines, the “OS” scanning sensors, the “DF” solid-state flash sensors, and certain analog sensors of the Puck family and the Alpha Prime.

OS Product line

Introduced in 2018, our OS product line today features four different sensor models available in numerous configurations. The OS product line, based on our fifth-generation L3 SoC, is available in four different models to meet the needs of our end customers. The model options include the hemispheric field of view OSDome, the ultra-wide view “OS0,” the mid-range “OS1,” and the long-range “OS2.” Within each of these models we offer numerous configuration options, including but not limited to different resolutions, connection standards, and data output structures. As we continue to release new generations of the silicon CMOS SoCs that power the OS product line, we expect the performance of the sensors to improve.

On October 19, 2022, we announced the launch of our newest OS series scanning sensors, REV7, powered by our next-generation L3 chip. REV7 features the all-new OSDome sensor, as well as upgraded OS0, OS1, and OS2 sensors that deliver double the range, enhanced object detection, increased precision and accuracy, and greater reliability. The new REV7 sensors offer performance upgrades that we believe will enhance our market opportunity, driven by new opportunities for longer-range and mapping applications.

DF product line

The DF series is a suite of short, mid, and long-range solid-state digital lidar sensors. The solid-state DF series is a leader in the market with superior reliability, durability, and affordability. The DF series is designed to meet automaker requirements for advanced driver assistance systems (“ADAS”) and automated driving, while seamlessly integrating into the vehicle architecture and design.

The DF product line was specifically engineered to meet consumer ADAS performance requirements and certifications related to automotive functional safety and reliability. Its key features include high resolution sensors, adaptability, and scalability.

High resolution. The patented breakthrough solid-state digital flash architecture produces high-resolution 3D point clouds.

Adaptability. The multi-sensor suite is a flexible platform that can be easily adapted to different form-factors and sensor configurations to provide varying ranges, fields of view, and vehicle design freedoms – all with a simple change in optics or housing.

Scalability. The solid-state DF product line is highly manufacturable and offers the durability, reliability, and affordability needed for automotive series production. We are offering individual solid-state sensors as well as a multi-sensor lidar suite at a price point that we believe could enable broad adoption in consumer vehicles. We believe that we are well-positioned to deliver on OEM requirements with a single supplier offering, reducing overall costs and making us a preferred potential partner for both automotive OEMs and Tier 1s.

 

5

Velodyne Lidar Sensors

We also offer certain surround-view lidar sensors that Velodyne previously marketed. These products are listed below and support numerous end applications, including autonomous vehicles, drones, security, mobile robots and mapping.

Alpha Prime (VLS-128) is capable of 300-meter range. It is specifically designed for autonomous driving and advanced vehicle safety at highway speeds. This lidar sensor incorporates 128 lasers and provides real-time 3D data up to 0.1-degree vertical and horizontal resolution. The Alpha Prime provides a superior combination of range, resolution and precision to enable Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles to function both at highway speeds as well as in low-speed urban environments. This product was recognized at the Pace Automotive Award in 2019.

Ultra Puck (VLP-32) is the third generation of the Puck family. The high-density, long-range image generated by the Ultra Puck makes it a desirable solution for robotics, mapping, security, driver assistance and autonomous navigation. The Ultra Puck also enables our Intelligent Infrastructure Solutions (“IIS”) (discussed below under the Software section). Ultra Puck uses 32 lasers to double the range and resolution of its predecessor at a range of up to 200 meters. Ultra Puck also introduces firing exclusion and advanced features designed to minimize false positives.

Puck (VLP-16) offers 16 lasers and a 100-meter range. Developed with mass production and affordability in mind, the Puck retains the multi-laser design while offering lower power consumption, a lighter weight and a more compact footprint at an attractive price point, making it suitable for low-speed autonomy and driver assistance applications.

Puck Hi-Res (VLP-16 Hi-Res) is a further iteration of the original Puck and is designed for applications requiring high image resolution. While also retaining surround view and 100-meter range, this sensor compresses the vertical field-of-view from 30 degrees to 20 degrees for a tighter laser distribution spaced at 1.33 degrees instead of 2.00 degrees. This design delivers more details in the 3D image at longer ranges and enables the host system to not only detect, but also better identify objects at these greater distances.

Ouster Software

Ouster Gemini is a perception platform designed for deployments in crowd analytics, security, retail analytics, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and is optimized exclusively for Ouster’s digital lidar sensors. The Gemini platform consists of OS series lidar sensors, edge processor hardware, and perception software.

The Ouster Gemini platform works by detecting and classifying humans in an indoor space such as a retail store or an outdoor space such as a high-security perimeter. Gemini enables our customers to track people through a covered area which can be expanded by meshing lidar sensors together to form a single, cohesive 3D view. This approach has several advantages compared to other people tracking and security solutions, and can be used to replace or enhance existing camera, radar, or RF beacon-based systems:

 

6

Detection accuracy. Gemini perception software is specifically optimized to take advantage of the rich and robust data provided by Ouster’s digital lidar sensors. The high resolution and improved range of our digital lidar sensors enhance the detection, classification, and tracking accuracy of the perception software. Ouster’s newest digital lidar sensors also enable significantly improved detection performance in low-light and adverse weather conditions as compared to earlier models.

Uninterrupted tracking. Gemini enables seamless tracking of objects across an entire area. Users can easily mesh multiple lidar sensors together within the Gemini software interface, allowing a seamless 3D view of object movement throughout the space.

Easy setup and administration. The simplicity of the Gemini platform, along with its intuitive user interface, enables customers to install, configure, and maintain the system with ease.

Privacy-preserving. Gemini does not output any personally identifiable information, allowing customers to deploy advanced monitoring systems in public or sensitive areas without privacy concerns.

Processing Facilities – Based on our due diligence process and the information received from our suppliers, the following facilities were identified by the Company’s suppliers as the smelters and refiners of the tin, tantalum, tungsten and/or gold present in and necessary to the functionality of products manufactured by the Company in the calendar year ended December 31, 2022. The information from our suppliers is still evolving and may contain company-level declarations. As such, this smelter list is presented in good faith as the best information we have to date. For 2022, we identified 318 SORs in our supply chain, 213 have been audited as conformant with the RMAP. This list may contain smelters that are not in our supply chain and/or there may be other smelters not yet identified in our due diligence process. We will continue to update the list as our information and the relevant third-party data from RMI, LBMA, and RJC improves.

 

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Metal

   

Smelter Name

   

Country

   

Smelter ID

Gold    8853 S.p.A.    ITALY    CID002763
Gold    Abington Reldan Metals, LLC    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID002708
Gold    Advanced Chemical Company    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID000015
Gold    African Gold Refinery    UGANDA    CID003185
Gold    Agosi AG    GERMANY    CID000035
Gold    Aida Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID000019
Gold    Al Etihad Gold Refinery DMCC    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES    CID002560
Gold    Alexy Metals    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID003500
Gold    Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC)    UZBEKISTAN    CID000041
Gold    AngloGold Ashanti Corrego do Sitio Mineracao    BRAZIL    CID000058
Gold    Argor-Heraeus S.A.    SWITZERLAND    CID000077
Gold    Asahi Pretec Corp.    JAPAN    CID000082
Gold    Asahi Refining Canada Ltd.    CANADA    CID000924
Gold    Asahi Refining USA Inc.    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID000920
Gold    Asaka Riken Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID000090
Gold    Atasay Kuyumculuk Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.    TURKEY    CID000103
Gold    AU Traders and Refiners    SOUTH AFRICA    CID002850
Gold    Augmont Enterprises Private Limited    INDIA    CID003461
Gold    Aurubis AG    GERMANY    CID000113
Gold    Bangalore Refinery    INDIA    CID002863
Gold    Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines)    PHILIPPINES    CID000128

 

9

Gold    Boliden AB    SWEDEN    CID000157
Gold    C. Hafner GmbH + Co. KG    GERMANY    CID000176
Gold    C.I Metales Procesados Industriales SAS    COLOMBIA    CID003421
Gold    Caridad    MEXICO    CID000180
Gold    CCR Refinery - Glencore Canada Corporation    CANADA    CID000185
Gold    Cendres + Metaux S.A.    SWITZERLAND    CID000189
Gold    CGR Metalloys Pvt Ltd.    INDIA    CID003382
Gold    Chimet S.p.A.    ITALY    CID000233
Gold    Chugai Mining    JAPAN    CID000264
Gold    Daye Non-Ferrous Metals Mining Ltd.    CHINA    CID000343
Gold    Degussa Sonne / Mond Goldhandel GmbH    GERMANY    CID002867
Gold    Dijllah Gold Refinery FZC    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES    CID003348
Gold    Dowa    JAPAN    CID000401
Gold    DSC (Do Sung Corporation)    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID000359
Gold    Eco-System Recycling Co., Ltd. East Plant    JAPAN    CID000425
Gold    Eco-System Recycling Co., Ltd. North Plant    JAPAN    CID003424
Gold    Eco-System Recycling Co., Ltd. West Plant    JAPAN    CID003425
Gold    Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited (Unit 1)    INDIA    CID003487
Gold    Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited (Unit 2)    INDIA    CID003488
Gold    Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited (Unit 3)    INDIA    CID003489
Gold    Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited (Unit 4)    INDIA    CID003490
Gold    Emirates Gold DMCC    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES    CID002561
Gold    Fidelity Printers and Refiners Ltd.    ZIMBABWE    CID002515
Gold    Fujairah Gold FZC    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES    CID002584
Gold    Geib Refining Corporation    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID002459
Gold    GGC Gujrat Gold Centre Pvt. Ltd.    INDIA    CID002852
Gold    Gold Coast Refinery    GHANA    CID003186
Gold    Gold Refinery of Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002243
Gold    Great Wall Precious Metals Co., Ltd. of CBPM    CHINA    CID001909
Gold    Guangdong Jinding Gold Limited    CHINA    CID002312
Gold    Guoda Safina High-Tech Environmental Refinery Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000651
Gold    Hangzhou Fuchunjiang Smelting Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000671
Gold    Heimerle + Meule GmbH    GERMANY    CID000694
Gold    Heraeus Germany GmbH Co. KG    GERMANY    CID000711
Gold    Heraeus Metals Hong Kong Ltd.    CHINA    CID000707
Gold    Hunan Chenzhou Mining Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000767
Gold    Hunan Guiyang yinxing Nonferrous Smelting Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000773
Gold    HwaSeong CJ CO., LTD.    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID000778
Gold    Industrial Refining Company    BELGIUM    CID002587
Gold    Inner Mongolia Qiankun Gold and Silver Refinery Share Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000801
Gold    International Precious Metal Refiners    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES    CID002562
Gold    Ishifuku Metal Industry Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID000807
Gold    Istanbul Gold Refinery    TURKEY    CID000814
Gold    Italpreziosi    ITALY    CID002765
Gold    JALAN & Company    INDIA    CID002893

 

10

Gold    Japan Mint    JAPAN    CID000823
Gold    Jiangxi Copper Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000855
Gold    JSC Ekaterinburg Non-Ferrous Metal Processing Plant    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID000927
Gold    JSC Novosibirsk Refinery    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID000493
Gold    JSC Uralelectromed    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID000929
Gold    JX Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID000937
Gold    K.A. Rasmussen    NORWAY    CID003497
Gold    Kaloti Precious Metals    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES    CID002563
Gold    Kazakhmys Smelting LLC    KAZAKHSTAN    CID000956
Gold    Kazzinc    KAZAKHSTAN    CID000957
Gold    Kennecott Utah Copper LLC    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID000969
Gold    KGHM Polska Miedz Spolka Akcyjna    POLAND    CID002511
Gold    Kojima Chemicals Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID000981
Gold    Korea Zinc Co., Ltd.    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID002605
Gold    Kundan Care Products Ltd.    INDIA    CID003463
Gold    Kyrgyzaltyn JSC    KYRGYZSTAN    CID001029
Gold    Kyshtym Copper-Electrolytic Plant ZAO    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID002865
Gold    L’azurde Company For Jewelry    SAUDI ARABIA    CID001032
Gold    Lingbao Gold Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001056
Gold    Lingbao Jinyuan Tonghui Refinery Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001058
Gold    L’Orfebre S.A.    ANDORRA    CID002762
Gold    LS-NIKKO Copper Inc.    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID001078
Gold    LT Metal Ltd.    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID000689
Gold    Luoyang Zijin Yinhui Gold Refinery Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001093
Gold    Marsam Metals    BRAZIL    CID002606
Gold    Materion    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID001113
Gold    Matsuda Sangyo Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID001119
Gold    MD Overseas    INDIA    CID003548
Gold    Metal Concentrators SA (Pty) Ltd.    SOUTH AFRICA    CID003575
Gold    Metallix Refining Inc.    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID003557
Gold    Metalor Technologies (Hong Kong) Ltd.    CHINA    CID001149
Gold    Metalor Technologies (Singapore) Pte., Ltd.    SINGAPORE    CID001152
Gold    Metalor Technologies (Suzhou) Ltd.    CHINA    CID001147
Gold    Metalor Technologies S.A.    SWITZERLAND    CID001153
Gold    Metalor USA Refining Corporation    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID001157
Gold    Metalurgica Met-Mex Penoles S.A. De C.V.    MEXICO    CID001161
Gold    Mitsubishi Materials Corporation    JAPAN    CID001188
Gold    Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID001193
Gold    MKS PAMP SA    SWITZERLAND    CID001352
Gold    MMTC-PAMP India Pvt., Ltd.    INDIA    CID002509
Gold    Modeltech Sdn Bhd    MALAYSIA    CID002857
Gold    Morris and Watson    NEW ZEALAND    CID002282
Gold    Moscow Special Alloys Processing Plant    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID001204
Gold    Nadir Metal Rafineri San. Ve Tic. A.S.    TURKEY    CID001220

 

11

Gold    Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combinat    UZBEKISTAN    CID001236
Gold    NH Recytech Company    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID003189
Gold    Nihon Material Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID001259
Gold    Ogussa Osterreichische Gold- und Silber-Scheideanstalt GmbH    AUSTRIA    CID002779
Gold    Ohura Precious Metal Industry Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID001325
Gold    OJSC “The Gulidov Krasnoyarsk Non-Ferrous Metals Plant” (OJSC Krastsvetmet)    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID001326
Gold    Pease & Curren    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID002872
Gold    Penglai Penggang Gold Industry Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001362
Gold    Planta Recuperadora de Metales SpA    CHILE    CID002919
Gold    Prioksky Plant of Non-Ferrous Metals    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID001386
Gold    PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk    INDONESIA    CID001397
Gold    PX Precinox S.A.    SWITZERLAND    CID001498
Gold    QG Refining, LLC    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID003324
Gold    Rand Refinery (Pty) Ltd.    SOUTH AFRICA    CID001512
Gold    Refinery of Seemine Gold Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000522
Gold    REMONDIS PMR B.V.    NETHERLANDS    CID002582
Gold    Royal Canadian Mint    CANADA    CID001534
Gold    SAAMP    FRANCE    CID002761
Gold    Sabin Metal Corp.    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID001546
Gold    Safimet S.p.A    ITALY    CID002973
Gold    SAFINA A.S.    CZECHIA    CID002290
Gold    Sai Refinery    INDIA    CID002853
Gold    Samduck Precious Metals    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID001555
Gold    Samwon Metals Corp.    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID001562
Gold    Sancus ZFS (L’Orfebre, SA)    COLOMBIA    CID003529
Gold    Sellem Industries Ltd.    MAURITANIA    CID003540
Gold    SEMPSA Joyeria Plateria S.A.    SPAIN    CID001585
Gold    Shandong Gold Smelting Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001916
Gold    Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002525
Gold    Shandong Tiancheng Biological Gold Industrial Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001619
Gold    Shandong Zhaojin Gold & Silver Refinery Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001622
Gold    Shenzhen Zhonghenglong Real Industry Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002527
Gold    Shirpur Gold Refinery Ltd.    INDIA    CID002588
Gold    Sichuan Tianze Precious Metals Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001736
Gold    Singway Technology Co., Ltd.    TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA    CID002516
Gold    SOE Shyolkovsky Factory of Secondary Precious Metals    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID001756
Gold    Solar Applied Materials Technology Corp.    TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA    CID001761
Gold    Sovereign Metals    INDIA    CID003383
Gold    State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology    LITHUANIA    CID003153

 

12

Gold    Sudan Gold Refinery    SUDAN    CID002567
Gold    Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID001798
Gold    SungEel HiMetal Co., Ltd.    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID002918
Gold    Super Dragon Technology Co., Ltd.    TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA    CID001810
Gold    T.C.A S.p.A    ITALY    CID002580
Gold    Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.    JAPAN    CID001875
Gold    Tokuriki Honten Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID001938
Gold    Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001947
Gold    TOO Tau-Ken-Altyn    KAZAKHSTAN    CID002615
Gold    Torecom    KOREA, REPUBLIC OF    CID001955
Gold    Umicore Precious Metals Thailand    THAILAND    CID002314
Gold    Umicore S.A. Business Unit Precious Metals Refining    BELGIUM    CID001980
Gold    United Precious Metal Refining, Inc.    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID001993
Gold    Valcambi S.A.    SWITZERLAND    CID002003
Gold    Western Australian Mint (T/a The Perth Mint)    AUSTRALIA    CID002030
Gold    WIELAND Edelmetalle GmbH    GERMANY    CID002778
Gold    Yamakin Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID002100
Gold    Yokohama Metal Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID002129
Gold    Yunnan Copper Industry Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000197
Gold    Zhongyuan Gold Smelter of Zhongjin Gold Corporation    CHINA    CID002224
Tantalum    AMG Brasil    BRAZIL    CID001076
Tantalum    Changsha South Tantalum Niobium Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000211
Tantalum    D Block Metals, LLC    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID002504
Tantalum    F&X Electro-Materials Ltd.    CHINA    CID000460
Tantalum    FIR Metals & Resource Ltd.    CHINA    CID002505
Tantalum    Global Advanced Metals Aizu    JAPAN    CID002558
Tantalum    Global Advanced Metals Boyertown    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID002557
Tantalum    Hengyang King Xing Lifeng New Materials Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002492
Tantalum    Jiangxi Dinghai Tantalum & Niobium Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002512
Tantalum    Jiangxi Tuohong New Raw Material    CHINA    CID002842
Tantalum    JiuJiang JinXin Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000914
Tantalum    Jiujiang Tanbre Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000917
Tantalum    Jiujiang Zhongao Tantalum & Niobium Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002506
Tantalum    KEMET de Mexico    MEXICO    CID002539
Tantalum    Materion Newton Inc.    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID002548
Tantalum    Metallurgical Products India Pvt., Ltd.    INDIA    CID001163
Tantalum    Mineracao Taboca S.A.    BRAZIL    CID001175
Tantalum    Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID001192
Tantalum    Ningxia Orient Tantalum Industry Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001277
Tantalum    NPM Silmet AS    ESTONIA    CID001200

 

13

Tantalum    QuantumClean    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID001508
Tantalum    Resind Industria e Comercio Ltda.    BRAZIL    CID002707
Tantalum    Solikamsk Magnesium Works OAO    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID001769
Tantalum    Taki Chemical Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID001869
Tantalum    TANIOBIS Co., Ltd.    THAILAND    CID002544
Tantalum    TANIOBIS GmbH    GERMANY    CID002545
Tantalum    TANIOBIS Japan Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID002549
Tantalum    TANIOBIS Smelting GmbH & Co. KG    GERMANY    CID002550
Tantalum    Telex Metals    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID001891
Tantalum    Ulba Metallurgical Plant JSC    KAZAKHSTAN    CID001969
Tantalum    XIMEI RESOURCES (GUANGDONG) LIMITED    CHINA    CID000616
Tantalum    XinXing HaoRong Electronic Material Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002508
Tantalum    Yanling Jincheng Tantalum & Niobium Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001522
Tin    Alpha    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID000292
Tin    An Vinh Joint Stock Mineral Processing Company    VIET NAM    CID002703
Tin    Aurubis Beerse    BELGIUM    CID002773
Tin    Aurubis Berango    SPAIN    CID002774
Tin    Chenzhou Yunxiang Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000228
Tin    Chifeng Dajingzi Tin Industry Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID003190
Tin    China Tin Group Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001070
Tin    CRM Fundicao De Metais E Comercio De Equipamentos Eletronicos Do Brasil Ltda    BRAZIL    CID003486
Tin    CRM Synergies    SPAIN    CID003524
Tin    CV Ayi Jaya    INDONESIA    CID002570
Tin    CV Venus Inti Perkasa    INDONESIA    CID002455
Tin    Dongguan CiEXPO Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID003356
Tin    Dowa    JAPAN    CID000402
Tin    Electro-Mechanical Facility of the Cao Bang Minerals & Metallurgy Joint Stock Company    VIET NAM    CID002572
Tin    EM Vinto    BOLIVIA (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF)    CID000438
Tin    Estanho de Rondonia S.A.    BRAZIL    CID000448
Tin    Fenix Metals    POLAND    CID000468
Tin    Gejiu City Fuxiang Industry and Trade Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID003410
Tin    Gejiu Kai Meng Industry and Trade LLC    CHINA    CID000942
Tin    Gejiu Non-Ferrous Metal Processing Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000538
Tin    Gejiu Yunxin Nonferrous Electrolysis Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID001908
Tin    Gejiu Zili Mining And Metallurgy Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000555
Tin    Guangdong Hanhe Non-Ferrous Metal Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID003116
Tin    Jiangxi New Nanshan Technology Ltd.    CHINA    CID001231
Tin    Luna Smelter, Ltd.    RWANDA    CID003387
Tin    Magnu’s Minerais Metais e Ligas Ltda.    BRAZIL    CID002468
Tin    Malaysia Smelting Corporation (MSC)    MALAYSIA    CID001105
Tin    Melt Metais e Ligas S.A.    BRAZIL    CID002500

 

14

Tin    Metallic Resources, Inc.    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID001142
Tin    Mineracao Taboca S.A.    BRAZIL    CID001173
Tin    Minsur    PERU    CID001182
Tin    Mitsubishi Materials Corporation    JAPAN    CID001191
Tin    Modeltech Sdn Bhd    MALAYSIA    CID002858
Tin    Nghe Tinh Non-Ferrous Metals Joint Stock Company    VIET NAM    CID002573
Tin    Novosibirsk Tin Combine    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID001305
Tin    O.M. Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd.    THAILAND    CID001314
Tin    O.M. Manufacturing Philippines, Inc.    PHILIPPINES    CID002517
Tin    Operaciones Metalurgicas S.A.    BOLIVIA (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF)    CID001337
Tin    Pongpipat Company Limited    MYANMAR    CID003208
Tin    Precious Minerals and Smelting Limited    INDIA    CID003409
Tin    PT Aries Kencana Sejahtera    INDONESIA    CID000309
Tin    PT Artha Cipta Langgeng    INDONESIA    CID001399
Tin    PT ATD Makmur Mandiri Jaya    INDONESIA    CID002503
Tin    PT Babel Inti Perkasa    INDONESIA    CID001402
Tin    PT Babel Surya Alam Lestari    INDONESIA    CID001406
Tin    PT Bangka Serumpun    INDONESIA    CID003205
Tin    PT Bukit Timah    INDONESIA    CID001428
Tin    PT Cipta Persada Mulia    INDONESIA    CID002696
Tin    PT Menara Cipta Mulia    INDONESIA    CID002835
Tin    PT Mitra Stania Prima    INDONESIA    CID001453
Tin    PT Mitra Sukses Globalindo    INDONESIA    CID003449
Tin    PT Prima Timah Utama    INDONESIA    CID001458
Tin    PT Rajawali Rimba Perkasa    INDONESIA    CID003381
Tin    PT Rajehan Ariq    INDONESIA    CID002593
Tin    PT Refined Bangka Tin    INDONESIA    CID001460
Tin    PT Stanindo Inti Perkasa    INDONESIA    CID001468
Tin    PT Sukses Inti Makmur    INDONESIA    CID002816
Tin    PT Timah Nusantara    INDONESIA    CID001486
Tin    PT Timah Tbk Kundur    INDONESIA    CID001477
Tin    PT Timah Tbk Mentok    INDONESIA    CID001482
Tin    PT Tinindo Inter Nusa    INDONESIA    CID001490
Tin    Resind Industria e Comercio Ltda.    BRAZIL    CID002706
Tin    Rui Da Hung    TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA    CID001539
Tin    Super Ligas    BRAZIL    CID002756
Tin    Thaisarco    THAILAND    CID001898
Tin    Tin Smelting Branch of Yunnan Tin Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002180
Tin    Tin Technology & Refining    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID003325
Tin    Tuyen Quang Non-Ferrous Metals Joint Stock Company    VIET NAM    CID002574
Tin    VQB Mineral and Trading Group JSC    VIET NAM    CID002015
Tin    White Solder Metalurgia e Mineracao Ltda.    BRAZIL    CID002036
Tin    Yunnan Chengfeng Non-ferrous Metals Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002158

 

15

Tin    Yunnan Yunfan Non-ferrous Metals Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID003397
Tungsten    A.L.M.T. Corp.    JAPAN    CID000004
Tungsten    ACL Metais Eireli    BRAZIL    CID002833
Tungsten    Albasteel Industria e Comercio de Ligas Para Fundicao Ltd.    BRAZIL    CID003427
Tungsten    Artek LLC    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID003553
Tungsten    Asia Tungsten Products Vietnam Ltd.    VIET NAM    CID002502
Tungsten    China Molybdenum Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002641
Tungsten    Chongyi Zhangyuan Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000258
Tungsten    CNMC (Guangxi) PGMA Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000281
Tungsten    Cronimet Brasil Ltda    BRAZIL    CID003468
Tungsten    Fujian Ganmin RareMetal Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID003401
Tungsten    Ganzhou Haichuang Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002645
Tungsten    Ganzhou Huaxing Tungsten Products Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000875
Tungsten    Ganzhou Jiangwu Ferrotungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002315
Tungsten    Ganzhou Seadragon W & Mo Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002494
Tungsten    Global Tungsten & Powders LLC    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID000568
Tungsten    Guangdong Xianglu Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000218
Tungsten    H.C. Starck Tungsten GmbH    GERMANY    CID002541
Tungsten    Hubei Green Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID003417
Tungsten    Hunan Chenzhou Mining Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000766
Tungsten    Hunan Jintai New Material Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID000769
Tungsten    Hunan Shizhuyuan Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd. Chenzhou Tungsten Products Branch    CHINA    CID002513
Tungsten    Hydrometallurg, JSC    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID002649
Tungsten    Japan New Metals Co., Ltd.    JAPAN    CID000825
Tungsten    Jiangwu H.C. Starck Tungsten Products Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002551
Tungsten    Jiangxi Gan Bei Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002321
Tungsten    Jiangxi Minmetals Gao’an Non-ferrous Metals Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002313
Tungsten    Jiangxi Tonggu Non-ferrous Metallurgical & Chemical Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002318
Tungsten    Jiangxi Xinsheng Tungsten Industry Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002317
Tungsten    Jiangxi Yaosheng Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002316
Tungsten    JSC “Kirovgrad Hard Alloys Plant”    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID003408
Tungsten    Kennametal Fallon    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID000966
Tungsten    Kennametal Huntsville    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID000105
Tungsten    Lianyou Metals Co., Ltd.    TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA    CID003407
Tungsten    Malipo Haiyu Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002319
Tungsten    Masan High-Tech Materials    VIET NAM    CID002543
Tungsten    Moliren Ltd.    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID002845
Tungsten    Niagara Refining LLC    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    CID002589
Tungsten    NPP Tyazhmetprom LLC    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID003416
Tungsten    Philippine Chuangxin Industrial Co., Inc.    PHILIPPINES    CID002827

 

16

Tungsten    TANIOBIS Smelting GmbH & Co. KG    GERMANY    CID002542
Tungsten    Unecha Refractory metals plant    RUSSIAN FEDERATION    CID002724
Tungsten    Wolfram Bergbau und Hutten AG    AUSTRIA    CID002044
Tungsten    Xiamen Tungsten (H.C.) Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002320
Tungsten    Xiamen Tungsten Co., Ltd.    CHINA    CID002082

 

V.

Future Due Diligence

We will continue to communicate our expectations and information requirements to our direct suppliers. Over time, we anticipate that the amount of information available globally on the traceability and sourcing of these ores will increase and improve our knowledge. We will continue to make inquiries to our direct suppliers and undertake additional risk assessments when potentially relevant changes in facts or circumstances are identified. If we become aware of a supplier whose due diligence needs improvement, we may continue the trade relationship while that supplier improves its compliance program. We expect our suppliers to take similar measures with their suppliers to help ensure alignment throughout the supply chain.

In addition to those above, the Company plans to undertake the following steps during the next compliance period:

 

  •  

Review the conflict minerals policy statement and update if necessary.

 

  •  

Review supplier training materials and update if necessary.

 

  •  

Continue to collect responses from suppliers using the most recent revision of the CMRT.

 

  •  

Continue engagement with smelters by sending letters to those that have not been audited as conformant.

 

  •  

Compare and validate RCOI results to information collected via independent third-party audit programs, such as the RMI, and through our Company’s own coordinated outreach to smelters.

 

  •  

Encourage responsible sourcing from the DRC and adjoining countries.

 

17

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Conflict Minerals Report contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Conflict Minerals Report that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, and are generally identified by words such as “will,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectation or intention relating to our compliance efforts and expected future diligence actions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve risks and uncertainties that may cause future expectations or actions to be different, including, but not limited to, we and our vendors are subject to various environmental laws and regulations that could impose substantial costs upon us and cause delays in expanding production facilities; and failure to meet evolving environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) expectations or standards or to achieve our ESG goals could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price; as well as the risks discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which are only effective as of the date of this report. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document except as required by law.

 

18

APPENDIX I – Countries of Origin

The information provided in this Appendix is based on the information collected from the Company’s suppliers.

 

Australia    Mozambique
Austria    Myanmar
Benin    Namibia
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)    Nicaragua
Brazil    Niger
Burundi    Nigeria
Canada    Papua New Guinea
Chile    Peru
China    Philippines
Chinese Taipei    Portugal
Colombia    Russian Federation
Congo, Democratic Republic of the    Rwanda
Ecuador    Sierra Leone
Eritrea    South Africa
Ethiopia    South Korea
France    Spain
Ghana    Swaziland
Guinea    Sweden
Guyana    Tanzania
India    Thailand
Indonesia    Uganda
Kazakhstan    United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Krygyzstan    United States of America
Laos    Uzbekistan
Malaysia    Viet Nam
Mexico    Zimbabwe
Mongolia   

 

19