Congo Sues Apple Alleging ‘Pillaged’ Minerals in Products
The Democratic Republic of Congo filed lawsuits against Apple Inc. in France and Belgium accusing the company of using minerals “pillaged” from the central African nation in its products.
Congo’s lawyers have initiated criminal complaints against the US tech giant’s subsidiaries in the two European countries “over the contamination of Apple’s supply chain” with “blood minerals,” according to a statement on Tuesday from Amsterdam & Partners LLP, a law firm working for Congo’s government.
Eastern Congo, which is rich in tin, tungsten and tantalum — minerals widely used in electronics including the iPhone — has been wracked by conflicts involving its armed forces and dozens of militant groups for about three decades. The administration of President Felix Tshisekedi accuses neighboring Rwanda of fueling the violence and providing a conduit for traders to smuggle minerals and gold out of Congo. Rwanda has long denied the allegations.
The complaints allege that Apple uses minerals that have been “laundered through international supply chains.” They also claim that the firm has deployed “deceptive commercial practices to assure consumers that the tech giant’s supply chains are clean.”
In a statement, Apple said it strongly disputes the claims.
“We’re deeply committed to responsible sourcing, and we hold our suppliers to the highest standards in the industry,” the company said. “As the conflict in the region escalated earlier this year, we notified our suppliers that their smelters and refiners must suspend sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the DRC and Rwanda.”
Apple said it took that step because it was “concerned it was no longer possible for independent auditors or industry certification mechanisms to perform the due diligence required to meet our high standards.”
The majority of those minerals used in Apple products are recycled, the company said, “including 99% recycled tungsten across all products, and we are using 100% recycled cobalt in Apple-designed batteries across the iPhone 16 lineup.”
Congo’s international legal team is tasked with pursuing individuals and companies involved in the “extraction, supply and commercialization of natural resources” that have driven “a cycle of violence and conflict by financing militias and terrorist groups,” according to the law firm’s statement.
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya confirmed the country had filed the lawsuit, without providing more details.
This is the first case Congo has filed as part of a strategy to pressure end users who may be using products reliant on minerals that were smuggled or have contributed to the conflict. According to a spokesperson for Amsterdam & Partners, the French and Belgium judicial systems are well suited for these kinds of legal actions.
Last year, Congo and Rwanda produced more than 60% of the tantalum used in the world’s portable electronics, according to the US Geological Survey.
In its statement, Apple said it recognizes that the situation is “very challenging” and has increased support to organizations that help communities in the region.
