The Democratic Republic of Congo has initiated criminal complaints in France and Belgium against Apple subsidiaries, alleging the company’s involvement in the use of conflict minerals. The legal action comes as lawyers representing the Congolese government argue that Apple is complicit in the activities of armed groups controlling several mines in eastern DR Congo.
In response, Apple has firmly denied the allegations, stating that it is “deeply committed to responsible sourcing” of minerals. Investigating authorities in France and Belgium will assess whether sufficient evidence exists to pursue this legal case further.
Attorneys for the DR Congo have highlighted concerns about Apple’s supply chain, alleging it is tainted with “blood minerals.” They claim that tin, tantalum, and tungsten sourced from conflict zones are being “laundered through international supply chains.” These actions, they assert, have perpetuated violence and conflict by financially supporting militias and terrorist organizations, as well as contributing to forced child labor and environmental destruction.
As tensions in the region escalated earlier this year, Apple notified its suppliers to halt sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from both the DRC and Rwanda. The tech giant emphasized that this decision stemmed from concerns regarding the ability of independent auditors to conduct effective due diligence to meet strict sourcing standards.
Eastern DR Congo remains a crucial mineral source, with ongoing global demand fueling decades of conflict. Rights organizations have long claimed that significant quantities of minerals, both from legitimate mines and those operated by armed groups, are transported to Rwanda and ultimately end up in consumer electronics. The Rwandan government has previously dismissed the Congolese legal action against Apple as a media tactic and has denied allegations of selling conflict minerals to the technology company.
