DR Congo’s mineral-rich east has seen years of conflict, often fueled by what lies beneath the ground [AFP]
The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium against subsidiaries of tech giant Apple, accusing them of using conflict minerals.
Lawyers have argued on behalf of the Congolese government that Apple is complicit in crimes committed by armed groups that control some of the mines in eastern DR Congo.
In its 2023 review of the issue, Apple said it is monitoring the supply chain and working to mitigate risks and improve measures to trace the source of minerals.
The authorities in France and Belgium will now examine whether there is sufficient evidence to continue legal action.
In a statement, DR Congo lawyers spoke of Apple’s supply chain being contaminated with “blood minerals”.
They claim the tin, tantalum and tungsten are sourced from conflict zones and then “laundered through international supply chains”.
“These activities have fueled a cycle of violence and conflict through the financing of militias and terrorist groups and contributed to forced child labor and environmental destruction.”
Apple did not respond to a BBC request for comment, but in its report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission detailing actions in this area through 2023, the company highlighted the measures it has taken to ensure that it does not use conflict minerals.
“While Apple does not directly source, procure or source primary minerals, we strive to meet and exceed internationally accepted due diligence standards for primary minerals and recycled materials in our supply chain,” the report said.
As a result, all those involved in the supply chain must participate in an “independent third-party audit of conflict minerals.” Apple said it will remove 14 “smelters and refineries” in 2023 that declined to participate or did not meet responsible sourcing requirements.
Eastern DR Congo is a major source of minerals and global hunger for them has fueled wars there for decades.
Rights groups have long alleged that large quantities of minerals from legitimate mines, as well as armed group facilities, are being transported to neighboring Rwanda and ending up in our phones and computers.
Rwanda has in the past described the Congolese government’s legal action against Apple as a media stunt.
It has denied selling conflict minerals to the tech company.
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[Getty Images/BBC]
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