KINSHASA, April 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has postponed the adoption of rules governing sourcing of minerals from conflict areas around Central Africa, the SEC said on its website.
The regulation, aimed at cutting the flow of money to armed rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries, is part of the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill. The rules were expected to be adopted in April.
The regulator said on its website that the adoption of regulation regarding disclosure related to "conflict minerals" had been moved to the August-December period.
The regulator did not give any reason for the postponement.
If adopted, the rules will force thousands of companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Apple and Research in Motion to reveal the sources of metals and ores such as coltan and tantalum that they use in mobile phones and other hi-tech appliances.
(Reporting Jonny Hogg, Writing by Bate Felix, editing by Jane Baird)