Fatshimétrie recently highlighted a high-profile case involving the Democratic Republic of Congo and tech giant Apple. Indeed, Congolese authorities have officially filed complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the company of sourcing minerals from armed conflict zones in the east of the country.
In a climate of ongoing tensions and armed conflict in the region, the DRC has taken legal action to denounce what it calls “blood minerals.” Apple, for its part, vigorously contests these accusations, ensuring that it is committed to responsible sourcing and requiring its suppliers to comply with the highest standards in the sector.
The American company claims to have taken steps to ensure that minerals from the DRC and Rwanda are not used in its products. Indeed, aware of the risks associated with sourcing from conflict zones, Apple has asked its suppliers to suspend the supply of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from these regions.
Apple highlights the predominance of recycled minerals in its products, such as 99% recycled tungsten and 100% recycled cobalt in its iPhone batteries. These initiatives aim to limit the impact of supply chains on populations affected by armed conflict in sub-Saharan Africa.
Faced with this legal battle, the DRC has hired renowned lawyers to defend its cause and promote the accountability of actors involved in the trade in minerals from conflict zones. The DRC’s lawyers have contacted the President of the European Commission to raise awareness of this issue in the EU and encourage a constructive dialogue on ending armed violence in the region.
A recent report published by international law firms highlights human rights violations in the mining regions of the DRC and highlights the silent complicity of the international community in the massacres in the east of the country. International organizations and the United Nations have also documented the links between the illegal trade in conflict minerals and certain technology companies, highlighting the urgent need to act to end these reprehensible practices.
Ultimately, this case highlights the ethical and human issues related to the sourcing of minerals in zones of armed conflict. It also highlights the responsibility of global companies such as Apple to promote responsible supply chains that respect human rights.