From the statement, externalLawyers in DR Congo said Apple’s supply chain was contaminated with “blood minerals”.
They claim that tin, tantalum and tungsten are mined from conflict zones and then “laundered through international supply chains.”
“These activities have fueled cycles of violence and conflict by funding militias and terrorist groups, contributing to forced child labor and environmental destruction.”
Apple did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment, but in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission report detailing its actions on the issue in 2023, the company highlights the steps it has taken to avoid using conflict minerals.
“Although Apple does not purchase, source or supply primary minerals directly, we are committed to meeting and exceeding internationally recognized due diligence standards for primary minerals and recycled materials in our supply chain,” Apple said.
As a result, everyone involved in the supply chain must participate in an “independent third-party conflict minerals audit.” Apple said it has eliminated 14 “smelters and refineries” that do not participate or meet responsible sourcing requirements in 2023.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is a major source of minerals, and the global thirst for minerals has led to decades of war there.
Human rights groups have long argued that large quantities of minerals from legal mines and facilities run by armed groups are shipped to neighboring Rwanda and end up in our phones and computers.
Rwanda has previously described the Congo government’s legal action against Apple as ridiculing the media.
It refused to sell conflict minerals to technology companies.
