Court sides with business groups on "conflict minerals" rule A U.S. appeals court has struck down a federal rule requiring companies to report minerals obtained from war-torn African countries, handing a victory to three business groups that challenged the mandate. A three-judge panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia concluded that U.S. Security and Exchange Commission's "conflict minerals" rule violated companies' free speech rights in a decision released Monday, according to Reuters. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable and National Association of Manufacturers had all challenged the rule. "We understand the seriousness of the… Read More