A newly released investigative report has intensified scrutiny on Western companies sourcing from China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, exposing high-risk links between global supply chains and state-imposed labor transfer programs. On June 11, 2025, Global Rights Compliance (GRC), a non-governmental legal advocacy organization, published findings detailing how more than 75 companies in China’s critical minerals sector may be participating in forced labor practices tied to Uyghur populations.
The investigation—built on government shipping data, PRC policy documents, and academic research—focuses on four key minerals: titanium, lithium, beryllium, and magnesium. These elements are considered foundational inputs for defense, aerospace, green energy, and electronics industries.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, China was the leading global producer of 30 out of 44 critical minerals in 2024, cementing its role at the core of mineral-dependent manufacturing.
Allegations of Uyghur forced labor in textiles and agriculture are well-documented, but this is one of the first public inquiries linking these labor practices to strategic mineral supply chains. The GRC report has traced material sourced directly from Xinjiang-based suppliers to companies and destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The U.S. government designated the treatment of Uyghurs as genocide in 2021, and legislation such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) now bans imports linked to Xinjiang unless companies can affirmatively prove they are free of forced labor.
Supply chain mapping and UFLPA violation assessments are possible with a number of companies offering solutions. Review information on our website here to learn more and contact us if you have questions or concerns about your own procurement map. We can guide you on what to look for when evaluating service providers to make sure you get actionable insights.
With recent news of exports from China’s rare earth mines potentially becoming accessible again for American companies, assessing the risk of violating the UFLPA becomes more of a priority.
