Congo Files Complaints Against Apple Over Conflict Minerals
The Democratic Republic of Congo filed complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium for allegedly using conflict minerals in its supply chain.
According to a report by Reuters, the complaint allege Apple laundering of tainted minerals, handling stolen goods, and carrying out deceptive commercial practices to assure consumers supply chains are clean.
Congo, major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten, so-called 3T minerals used in computers and mobile phone, claims that Apple used mineral pillaged from Congo and laundered through international supply chains.
Meanwhile, Apple disputed the allegations and said that it does not directly source primary minerals and conducts regular audits. In its 2023 filing on conflict minerals, Apple said none of the smelters or refiners of 3T minerals or gold in its supply chain had financed or benefited armed groups in Congo or neighbouring countries.
Congo’s complaints focus on ITSCI, a metals industry-funded monitoring and certification scheme designed to help companies perform due diligence on minerals suppliers. Congo's lawyers argue that Apple uses ITSCI as a fig leaf to falsely present its supply chain as clean despite it being discredited by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), of which the tech giant is a member.
The judicial authorities in both the nations will decide whether to investigate the complaints further and bring criminal charges, stated the report.