Apple Instructs Suppliers to Halt Mineral Purchases from DRC Amid Ethical Concerns

Apple announces it informed suppliers earlier this year to cease buying minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following growing concerns about human rights and ethical sourcing.

Apple, the multinational technology giant, has challenged allegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding its use of conflict minerals in their products.

It claims, without providing additional details, that earlier this year it instructed its suppliers to cease buying tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the DRC and Rwanda due to the escalating conflict in those regions.

The statement was issued in response to criminal cases initiated by the Congolese government against the company in France and Belgium.

Kinshasa has charged the tech giant with incorporating “blood minerals” from the region, which are reportedly laundered through international supply chains, into its products.

The claims made against Apple allegedly involve war crimes, money laundering, forgery, and deceit.

Since the 1990s, the eastern region of the DRC, rich in minerals, has been plagued by violence involving rebel groups—some supported by Rwanda—and clashes with the Congolese army.

According to United Nations experts and human rights organizations, certain artisanal mines are operated by militants who engage in criminal activities such as civilian massacres and sexual violence.

According to Kinshasa, this implicates Apple in the crimes.

Despite the vagueness of Apple’s statement, lawyers representing the DRC have expressed approval of the company’s decision to cease sourcing minerals from their region.

However, they state that they will continue pursuing the cases against the company in Europe and emphasize that Apple’s claims about modifications to its supply chain must be confirmed through on-the-ground verification.