DRC Accuses Apple of Illegally Sourcing Minerals: Implications for Tech Giant Revealed

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused Apple of using minerals illegally exploited from its eastern region in its products. Apple has received a cease and desist notice from DRC’s legal representatives, warning of potential legal consequences if the alleged practice continues.

The Great Lakes region of the DRC has been plagued by violence since the 1990s, with tensions escalating in late 2021 as the March 23 Movement (M23) insurgents started to reclaim significant territory.

The DRC, UN, and Western nations have accused Rwanda of backing rebel factions, including M23, to control the region’s extensive mineral reserves. Apple has been criticized for incorporating minerals from a region where severe human rights violations persist.

French lawyers William Bourdon and Vincent Brengarth argue that Apple’s attempts to ethically source minerals are “notoriously inadequate.”

The Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI) has faced accusations of involvement in the laundering of conflict minerals, supporting child labor, trafficking, and smuggling in the DRC. The DRC’s formal notice raises concerns about the “3T minerals used in Apple products” and requests a response from the tech company within three weeks.