International lawyers representing the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo said Apple's supply chain may include “conflict minerals” ; or “blood minerals.”
These terms are used to refer to minerals mined in conflict zones where armed groups use forced labor and the proceeds are used to buy weapons for the armed forces. conflict …
Audit Apple for Conflict or Blood Minerals
The main minerals associated with human rights violations are tin, tantalum and tungsten (collectively called 3T) and gold. The term 3TG is used to refer to all four metals.
Apple doesn't buy the minerals directly—they're bought further down the supply chain by companies that use them to make components that are later sold to the iPhone maker. However, the company carries out audits to ensure that there are no problems in its supply chain.
For example, back in 2019, Apple instructed its suppliers to exclude five smelters and refineries that failed this test. audit. The company said it was not concerned about the remaining companies.
Of 253 metallurgical and oil refineries 3TG plants that were identified as part of Apple's supply chain as of December 31, 2018, Apple has not found reasonable grounds to conclude that any such smelter or refinery supplied by 3TG directly or indirectly finances or benefits the armed forces groups.
International lawyers present evidence to Apple
Reuters reports that lawyers provided Apple with evidence of violations during these reviews and asked a number of questions about this.
Congo has been torn by violence since the 1990s, especially in the restive east, where there are many armed groups, some backed by neighboring Rwanda, fighting over national identity, ethnicity and resources.
Congo lawyers notified Apple CEO Tim Cook on April 22 of a number of concerns about its supply chain and also wrote to Apple subsidiaries in France demanding answers within three weeks. Law firm Partners LLP is investigating allegations. that minerals mined in the Congo by several companies and armed groups are being smuggled through Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.
Particularly troubling is the auditors' claim that their contracts were terminated after they provided evidence of conflict minerals in Apple's supply chain.
Lawyers say Apple failed to respond.
The company said in a statement Wednesday that four weeks later, “the tech giant has remained silent and has not responded or even acknowledged receipt of questions.”
We have reached out to Apple for comment and will update if we respond.
Standard photo of unrelated mining operations by Arnaud van Rensburg on Unsplash
