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Investigation Launched into Apple Over Conflict Minerals Allegations from Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has intensified its legal actions against Apple, compelling a Belgian investigating magistrate to take charge of the case initiated in December. This case involves allegations directed at Apple subsidiaries concerning the use of “conflict minerals” within their supply chains.

According to a lawyer representing the Congolese government, the judge assigned to the investigation is regarded as a “serious and rigorous judge,” although their name has not been publicly disclosed, as reported by Reuters. The outcome of this legal matter will largely depend on the magistrate’s findings.

The DRC is a vital source of key minerals such as tin, tantalum, and tungsten—collectively referred to as 3T minerals—which are integral to the manufacturing of smartphones and other electronic devices. However, reports indicate that some artisanal mines in the DRC are under the control of armed groups known for committing severe human rights abuses, including violence and theft.

These alarming conditions have led activists to urge companies to steer clear of sourcing conflict minerals that contribute to such human rights violations. The DRC’s legal representatives claim that Apple has been indirectly aiding these conflicts by supposedly laundering conflict minerals through its international supply chains, thereby being complicit in the ongoing regional turmoil.

Furthermore, the DRC’s legal team has contested Apple’s reliance on the ITSCI certification program, which is designed to ensure ethical sourcing of minerals. They argue that this industry-funded initiative is ineffective, highlighting that ITSCI was suspended by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) in 2022 due to significant traceability concerns. Despite this, Apple continues to invoke ITSCI as a means to authenticate the ethical standards of its supply chain.

The allegations culminate in lawsuits against Apple’s subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing them of obscuring war crimes, facilitating the laundering of conflict minerals, and misleading consumers regarding the ethical nature of their products. In response to these serious allegations, Apple refuted the claims in December, stating that it had already instructed its suppliers to eliminate minerals sourced from Congo or Rwanda effective from early 2024. Following this announcement, the DRC’s legal team expressed cautious optimism regarding Apple’s proactive measures.

Source
www.phonearena.com