The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is accusing Apple of sourcing minerals from conflict zones in eastern Congo.
Lawyers representing the DRC government claim to have new evidence from whistleblowers that contradicts Apple’s assurances about its supply chain.
The lawyers sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook in April expressing concerns about the company’s sourcing practices in Congo.
They allege that minerals mined by armed groups are being smuggled through neighboring countries and potentially ending up in Apple products.
The lawyers say Apple has not responded to their inquiries.
Apple maintains that it audits its suppliers and ensures they are not sourcing “conflict minerals” – tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG) – that fund armed groups in the DRC.
The company’s latest report states that all identified smelters and refiners in its supply chain have undergone independent audits for conflict minerals.
However, the DRC lawyers claim to have evidence from whistleblowers who previously worked on Apple’s supply chain verification in Congo.
These whistleblowers allege they were fired after raising concerns about “blood minerals” in the supply chain. The lawyers are investigating these claims.
The situation is further complicated by recent clashes in eastern Congo, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have captured a key mining town for coltan, a mineral used in smartphones and other electronics.
This highlights the ongoing instability in the region and the potential for conflict minerals to enter the global supply chain.
The DRC government is urging Apple to address these concerns and provide transparency about its sourcing practices.
The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of current conflict mineral auditing measures and the need for stricter regulations to ensure ethical sourcing in the electronics industry.
