The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has filed criminal complaints against Apple in both France and Belgium. The allegations? That Apple has been using minerals taken from the country’s conflict regions to make its products.
The legal team representing DR Congo claims that Apple is involved in a serious problem—using minerals like tin, tantalum, and tungsten, which were stolen from mines controlled by armed groups in eastern DR Congo. These groups, which include violent militias, use the profits from these minerals to fund their wars and continue their control over the region.
The lawyers argue that Apple is not just unknowingly using these “blood minerals.” They say that Apple knowingly sources these materials from suppliers who have laundered the minerals, allowing them to enter the global supply chain without question. These practices have allegedly fueled violence, forced child labor, and caused major environmental damage.
What’s even more surprising is that Apple has promised consumers that its supply chains are clean and ethical. However, these new legal complaints suggest otherwise, accusing Apple of lying about where it sources the minerals for its devices.
DR Congo, one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt (a key mineral in phone batteries), has been dealing with violence for decades. Armed groups, including the notorious M23 militants, have been fighting for control of the country’s rich mineral resources. These conflicts have led to widespread destruction, and the profits from the minerals often end up in the hands of these violent groups.
Earlier this year, a report revealed that several tech companies, including Apple, might be buying minerals sourced from DR Congo but smuggled through neighboring countries like Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. These minerals are then funneled into the global supply chain, fueling the ongoing violence in the region.
The lawyers now say that Apple has ignored questions about whether its products are made with minerals from conflict zones. Despite multiple warnings, Apple has not given clear answers. This lack of response has led to the legal action now taking place in both France and Belgium.
William Bourdon, one of the lawyers representing DR Congo, calls this legal action the “first step” to holding tech giants like Apple accountable for their actions in Africa. He says that Apple’s constant pursuit of profit has come at a heavy price: the lives of innocent people caught in the middle of war, child labor, and environmental destruction.
Apple has rejected these claims, saying it has already warned its suppliers to stop sourcing minerals from DR Congo and Rwanda amid rising violence. The company says it is also supporting organizations working to improve the situation on the ground. However, critics argue that this response is not enough and that Apple should do more to stop its supply chain from fueling the violence.
As this legal battle unfolds, many are questioning how much responsibility major tech companies like Apple should take for the conditions in the countries where they source their materials. Will this case set a new precedent for holding big corporations accountable for their supply chains? Only time will tell.
