Blood minerals: DRC accuses Apple of using conflict minerals

The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium against subsidiaries of tech giant Apple, accusing it of using conflict minerals.

Acting on behalf of the Congolese government, lawyers claimed that Apple was complicit in crimes committed by armed groups that control some mines in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Apple said it “strongly disputes” the allegations and is “deeply committed to responsible sourcing” of minerals.

French and Belgian authorities will now examine whether there is enough evidence to pursue legal action.

In a statement, lawyers for the Democratic Republic of Congo cited contamination of Apple’s supply chain with “blood minerals.”

They claim that tin, tantalum and tungsten are taken from conflict zones and then “laundered into international supply chains”.

“These activities have fueled a cycle of violence and conflict by funding militias and terrorist groups and contributed to forced child labor and environmental devastation.

Apple has rejected the accusations, saying its “suppliers meet the highest industry standards.”

A spokesperson told the BBC: “When the conflict in the region intensified earlier this year, we informed our suppliers that their smelters and refineries had to suspend their supplies of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from the DRC and Rwanda.

“We took this action because we were concerned that it would no longer be possible for independent auditors or industry certification mechanisms to provide the due diligence required to meet our high standards.

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is a major source of minerals and the world’s thirst for them has fueled wars there for decades.

Human rights groups have long argued that large quantities of minerals from legitimate mines, as well as facilities run by armed groups, are funneled into neighboring Rwanda and end up in our phones and computers.

In the past, Rwanda has called the legal action taken by the Congolese government against Apple a media stunt.

He denied selling conflict minerals to the tech company.