The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a complaint against Apple, in particular against Apple France and Apple Belgium, for criminal activities related to the use of minerals from prohibited areas.
A sensitive matter
Apple faces criminal complaints in France and Belgium, filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, over the alleged use of “conflict minerals” in its supply chain. These accusations include the concealment and laundering of minerals from regions at war. A first accusation occurred in April.
Although Apple claims to regularly audit its suppliers, its detractors criticize the use of monitoring programs deemed ineffective. The ITSCI, which brings together different players in the mining industry to resolve the blood minerals problem in the DRC, is particularly targeted. According to the complaint, Apple uses this agency to appear to be in control of the situation and to support its claims of legal compliance.
Congo’s ore, mainly cobalt, is essential for modern technologies. The DRC is one of the largest producers of cobalt, used in lithium-ion batteries for smartphones, laptops and electric vehicles. This metal improves thermal stability and battery life, making it essential for rechargeable devices.
French and Belgian authorities will decide in the coming months whether to open an investigation. If this were to happen, Apple would face a particularly sensitive new legal case. It is important to note that the issue of mineral extraction for big tech companies has been a complex topic for over twenty years.
