DR Congo Sues Apple Over “Blood Minerals”

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has lodged criminal complaints in France and Belgium against Apple and its local subsidiaries, accusing the tech giant of benefiting from conflict minerals in its supply chain.

In a statement, lawyers for the Congolese government allege that these “blood minerals” fuel violent conflict in the region, including atrocities committed by armed groups. Apple has denied the claims.

Apple Accused of Covering Up War Crimes

Eastern Congo is a major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten—the 3T minerals—which are widely used in electronics like computers and mobile phones.

International lawyers, on behalf of Congo’s justice minister, have filed complaints against Apple France, Apple Retail France, and Apple Retail Belgium. The complaints accuse the companies of being complicit in crimes committed by armed groups controlling some mines.

The allegations include covering up war crimes, laundering illegally sourced minerals, and misleading consumers about the cleanliness of their supply chains.

“It is clear that the Apple group, Apple France and Apple Retail France know very well that their minerals supply chain relies on systemic wrongdoing,” the French complaint states, according to Reuters.

Scrutiny on Traceability Schemes

The case also highlights flaws in the International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI), a traceability scheme designed to ensure ethical sourcing of minerals like tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold.

Congo’s lawyers point to the suspension of ITSCI by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), a group that includes Apple, citing insufficient action to prevent violence and exploitation.

Apple’s 2023 filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission denied any links between its supply chain and armed groups in the DRC.