On Thursday The Democratic Republic of Congo has formally accused Apple of using illegally exploited minerals sourced from the country’s embattled eastern regions. These minerals are associated with violence, child labor, and other human rights violations.
The DRC’s lawyers have sent Apple a cease and desist notice, warning the tech giant that it could face legal action if it continues this alleged practice.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has specifically raised concerns with Apple about the use of 3T minerals (Tin, Tungsten, and Tantalum) in their products. The DRC has requested a response from Apple within a three-week timeframe.
As per AFP, the legal representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued a formal cease and desist notice to Apple.
This notice serves as a warning to the tech company, emphasizing that it could face legal consequences if it continues to use minerals from a region where severe human rights violations are occurring.
Specifically, Apple has been accused of selling technology that incorporates minerals sourced from this troubled area.
As per the legal representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo based in Paris, Apple’s Macs, iPhones, and other products carry the stain of Congolese blood.
This strong statement highlights the alleged connection between Apple’s technology and the ongoing human rights violations in the region.
According to the legal representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are based in Paris, Apple has been accused of acquiring minerals that are illicitly transported from the DRC to neighboring Rwanda.
These minerals are then subjected to laundering processes and eventually become part of the global supply chain.
Apple has consistently depended on suppliers who purchase minerals from Rwanda, a country with limited mineral resources, which has exploited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and depleted its natural wealth for almost thirty years.
After being contacted by the news agency, Apple cited its 2023 annual corporate report, which addressed concerns about the use of conflict minerals—essential components in various high-tech products.
According to the report, their due diligence efforts found no reasonable evidence that any of the smelters or refiners involved in the supply chain for 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) directly or indirectly supported armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or neighboring countries as of December 31, 2023.
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