Congo says Apple’s supply chain claims must be verified

Lawyers representing Congo said on Wednesday they welcomed the announcement with “satisfaction and caution” [File]
|Image source: Reuters

International lawyers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have welcomed Apple’s decision to stop sourcing minerals from the country as the conflict worsens, but said they would continue their case against the company in Europe. This week, Congo filed a criminal complaint against Apple’s French and Belgian subsidiaries on behalf of Congo, accusing the tech company of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

Congo is a major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten, known as the 3T minerals used in computers and mobile phones. But U.N. experts and human rights groups say some artisanal mines are run by armed groups involved in massacres, rapes and other crimes.

Apple said on Tuesday it strongly disputes the claims and told suppliers they must not use related minerals from Congo or Rwanda.

Lawyers representing Congo said on Wednesday they welcomed the announcement with “satisfaction and caution”.

“Apple’s claims about changes to its supply chain must be verified on the ground and supported by facts and data,” the lawyers said in a statement to Reuters.

“Apple’s statement does not change the past and the crimes alleged to have been committed,” they added. They said it was now up to French and Belgian judges to rule on the case.

Prosecutors in both countries have not commented.

Lawyers argue that Apple uses minerals looted from Congo and launders money through international supply chains, making it complicit in criminal activity in Congo.

Apple does not purchase primary minerals directly and says it audits suppliers, publishes findings and funds organizations seeking to improve mineral traceability.

“As conflict escalated in the region earlier this year, we notified our suppliers that their smelters and refiners must suspend purchases of tin, tantalum, tungsten and lithium from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda,” Apple said in a statement on Tuesday. gold.

It did not say when suppliers would be notified.

“We are taking this action because we are concerned that it is no longer possible for independent auditors or industry accreditation mechanisms to conduct the due diligence required to meet our high standards.”

Apple says most of the problematic minerals in its phones and computers are recycled.

Since the 1990s, eastern Congo’s mining heartland has been devastated by conflicts between armed groups, some backed by neighboring Rwanda, and the Congolese military.

Millions of civilians died and were displaced.

U.N. experts and human rights groups say competition for minerals is one of the main drivers of the conflict, as armed groups rely on export proceeds, often smuggled through Rwanda, to survive and buy weapons.