What and where are conflict minerals ? br br Dodd–Frank Section 1502 defines “conflict minerals” as cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, gold and wolframite, as well as their derivatives and other minerals that the US Secretary of State may designate in the future. br The final rule exempts any conflict minerals that are “outside the supply chain” prior to 31 January 2013. Conflict minerals are “outside the supply chain” only “after any columbite-tantalite, cassiterite, and wolframite minerals have been smelted; after gold has been fully refined; or after any conflict mineral, or its derivatives, that have not been smelted or fully refined are located outside of the Covered Countries.