Jan 21, 2025 16:00:00

Apple sued by Democratic Republic of Congo over alleged use of 'conflict minerals'

From the perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), there is a concept of '

responsible mineral sourcing ' that aims to avoid using minerals that pose a risk of human rights violations, etc. Minerals that pose a risk of funding armed groups or violating human rights are referred to as 'conflict minerals' or 'blood minerals.' Apple is currently being sued by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for suspecting that it is using these 'conflict minerals' in its iPhones and other products.

Apple hit by Belgian probe over 'blood minerals' from Congo
https://www.ft.com/content/bf4dafef-a61f-442b-9c4d-d87abdea86e3

Apple faces criminal complaints over Congo conflict minerals
https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/20/apple-faces-criminal-complaints-over-congo-conflict-minerals-and-customer-deception/

The DRC has natural resources such as gold, diamonds, tin, zinc, cobalt, and

coltan , with total reserves estimated to be worth as much as $24 trillion.

However, the conflict over mineral mining has become one involving more than 100 armed groups, and fighting has intensified especially since 2021 as the DRC and neighboring Rwanda have accused each other of supporting militias.

'Blood minerals': What are the hidden costs of the EU-Rwanda supply deal? | Human Rights | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/5/2/blood-minerals-what-are-the-hidden-costs-of-the-eu-rwanda-supply-deal

The DRC filed suit in Belgium and France alleging that Apple uses 'conflict minerals' called 3TG (tin, tantalum , tungsten and gold).

Belgian prosecutors have not commented on the case but have appointed an investigator, which Christophe Marchand, the Belgian lawyer handling the case, said was 'a first step to show that the prosecutors are taking the case seriously.'

In April 2024, DRC authorities sent a notice to Apple CEO Tim Cook and a French subsidiary expressing concerns about the inclusion of conflict minerals in the supply chain and asked for a response within three weeks. At that time, Apple did not make a public comment, but later explained to the US Securities and Exchange Commission that vendors in its 3TG supply chain did not use conflict minerals.