The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has issued a formal notice to Apple over “illegally mined” minerals from the country’s troubled eastern region, the AFP news agency reported Thursday, citing lawyers representing the nation. African.
The DRC’s notice to Apple includes requests for information regarding “3T minerals (tin, tungsten, tantalum) used in Apple products” and urges the tech company to respond “within three weeks.”
According to AFP, lawyers representing the DRC have sent Apple a formal notice, warning the tech giant of possible legal repercussions if the alleged practice continues. “Apple sold technology made with minerals from a region whose population is devastated by serious human rights violations,” said the lawyers representing the DRC.
According to DRC lawyers, based in Paris, Macs, iPhones and various Apple products are “stained by the blood of the Congolese people”.
The lawyers, based in Paris and representing the DRC, accused Apple of sourcing minerals smuggled from the DRC to neighboring Rwanda, where they are laundered and are “incorporated into the global supply chain”.
They wrote: “Apple has historically relied on a series of suppliers who purchase minerals from Rwanda, a mineral-poor country that has preyed on the DRC and plundered its natural resources for nearly three decades. »
Apple’s response
The news agency contacted Apple, which referenced statements in its 2023 corporate annual report regarding the alleged use of conflict minerals, crucial components in various high-tech products. “Based on our due diligence efforts…we have found no reasonable basis to conclude that any of the 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) smelters or refineries determined to be part of our chain of “supply as of December 31, 2023, directly or indirectly financed or benefited from armed groups in the DRC or a neighboring country,” he said.
What is the DR Congo rich in?
The DRC is full of tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold, collectively called 3T or 3TG, essential minerals used in the production of smartphones and other electronic devices.
The mineral-rich Great Lakes region has been plagued by violence since regional conflicts in the 1990s, with tensions escalating again in late 2021 when rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) began reconquering large areas of territory.
The accusations from the DRC, the UN and Western countries point to Rwanda’s alleged support for rebel groups, including the M23, to control the region’s vast mineral wealth, although Kigali denies the allegations.
The allegations outlined in the letter include sexual violence, armed assaults and widespread corruption at mining sites that supply materials to Apple.
ITSCI program in mining in DR Congo
French lawyers said the tech giant’s efforts to ethically source minerals are deemed “notoriously insufficient.” The official letter states: “Apple appears to rely primarily on the vigilance of its suppliers and their commitment to respecting Apple’s code of conduct. »
However, suppliers and external audits appear to rely on Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI) certification, which, according to the DRC government’s formal notice, “has numerous and serious deficiencies.” .
According to the British organization NO Global Witness, the ITSCI program, established more than ten years ago, is one of the main mechanisms aimed at ensuring the supply of “conflict-free” minerals in the DRC.
According to AFP, in April 2022, Global Witness accused ITSCI of contributing to the laundering of conflict minerals, child labor, trafficking and smuggling in the DRC.
(With AFP entries)
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has issued a formal notice to Apple over “illegally mined” minerals from the country’s troubled eastern region, the AFP news agency reported Thursday, citing lawyers representing the nation. African.
The DRC’s notice to Apple includes requests for information regarding “3T minerals (tin, tungsten, tantalum) used in Apple products” and urges the tech company to respond “within three weeks.”
According to AFP, lawyers representing the DRC have sent Apple a formal notice, warning the tech giant of possible legal repercussions if the alleged practice continues. “Apple sold technology made with minerals from a region whose population is devastated by serious human rights violations,” said the lawyers representing the DRC.
According to DRC lawyers, based in Paris, Macs, iPhones and various Apple products are “stained by the blood of the Congolese people”.
The lawyers, based in Paris and representing the DRC, accused Apple of sourcing minerals smuggled from the DRC to neighboring Rwanda, where they are laundered and are “incorporated into the global supply chain”.
They wrote: “Apple has historically relied on a series of suppliers who purchase minerals from Rwanda, a mineral-poor country that has preyed on the DRC and plundered its natural resources for nearly three decades. »
Apple’s response
The news agency contacted Apple, which referenced statements in its 2023 corporate annual report regarding the alleged use of conflict minerals, crucial components in various high-tech products. “Based on our due diligence efforts…we have found no reasonable basis to conclude that any of the 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) smelters or refineries determined to be part of our chain of “supply as of December 31, 2023, directly or indirectly financed or benefited from armed groups in the DRC or a neighboring country,” he said.
What is the DR Congo rich in?
The DRC is full of tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold, collectively called 3T or 3TG, essential minerals used in the production of smartphones and other electronic devices.
The mineral-rich Great Lakes region has been plagued by violence since regional conflicts in the 1990s, with tensions escalating again in late 2021 when rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) began reconquering large areas of territory.
The accusations from the DRC, the UN and Western countries point to Rwanda’s alleged support for rebel groups, including the M23, to control the region’s vast mineral wealth, although Kigali denies the allegations.
The allegations outlined in the letter include sexual violence, armed assaults and widespread corruption at mining sites that supply materials to Apple.
ITSCI program in mining in DR Congo
French lawyers said the tech giant’s efforts to ethically source minerals are deemed “notoriously insufficient.” The official letter states: “Apple appears to rely primarily on the vigilance of its suppliers and their commitment to respecting Apple’s code of conduct. »
However, suppliers and external audits appear to rely on Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI) certification, which, according to the DRC government’s formal notice, “has numerous and serious deficiencies.” .
According to the British organization NO Global Witness, the ITSCI program, established more than ten years ago, is one of the main mechanisms aimed at ensuring the supply of “conflict-free” minerals in the DRC.
According to AFP, in April 2022, Global Witness accused ITSCI of contributing to the laundering of conflict minerals, child labor, trafficking and smuggling in the DRC.
(With AFP entries)