Apple, one of the largest technology companies in the world, is at the center of serious allegations. The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal charges against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium. The allegations concern the suspicion that Apple is involved in the handling of stolen minerals from conflict regions. At the same time, the company is accused of covering up war crimes and engaging in fraudulent business practices. The allegations are directly related to the sought-after raw materials tin, tantalum and tungsten, which are essential for the production of smartphones and computers.
The conflict over minerals from the eastern region of Congo is nothing new. Since the 1990s, the region has been controlled by armed groups that finance themselves through the illegal mining and trade of these raw materials. These so-called 3T minerals often reach the global markets via opaque supply chains and end up in the devices of large technology companies. Now the Democratic Republic of Congo is accusing Apple of being part of this problematic supply chain despite strict controls and monitoring systems (via ReutersThe criminal complaint is directed against the company's subsidiaries in France and Belgium, because corporate liability is particularly vigorously pursued there.
The allegations in detail
The criminal complaint accuses Apple of using stolen minerals in its product supply chain and "laundering" them through international channels. Minerals plundered from the Congo are said to have been smuggled into global trade. Congo's lawyers argue that Apple deliberately turned a blind eye or at least acted negligently. Particularly explosive: Apple is also accused of being involved in the cover-up of war crimes. In the region, armed groups finance themselves through the illegal trade in raw materials, which has led to decades of conflict, displacement and numerous civilian casualties.
Apple's statement
Apple has responded to the allegations and firmly denied the accusations in a written statement to apfelpatient.de. The company stated:
We strongly deny the DRC’s allegations. At Apple, we are committed to responsible sourcing and require our suppliers to meet the highest industry standards. As conflict in the region escalated earlier this year, we notified our suppliers that their smelters and refineries must suspend sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the DRC and Rwanda. We took this action because we were concerned that independent auditors or industry certification mechanisms would no longer be able to conduct the due diligence required to meet our high standards. The majority of minerals used in Apple products are recycled, including 99% recycled tungsten in all products and 100% recycled cobalt in Apple-designed iPhone 16 series batteries. We know the situation in the region is extremely difficult and have increased our support for organizations doing important work to support communities.
The Importance of 3T Minerals
The raw materials tin, tantalum and tungsten are essential for the electronics industry. They are needed in smartphones, tablets and computers - devices that have become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. The Congo is one of the world's largest sources of these minerals. At the same time, the region has been marked by conflicts for decades over control of these natural resources.
Apple's position on the allegations
Apple strongly denies the allegations. The company emphasizes that it does not source primary minerals directly and conducts regular supplier audits. In its 2023 SEC filing, the company stated that none of its suppliers support or finance armed groups in the Congo or neighboring regions. Apple also relies on programs such as ITSCI (International Tin Supply Chain Initiative), a monitoring system designed to ensure that minerals are sourced ethically.
Criticism of ITSCI: A fig leaf?
An important part of the criminal complaint revolves around the ITSCI program. ITSCI is a system promoted by the metals industry that helps companies comply with their due diligence obligations in the supply chain. But the lawyers of the Democratic Republic of Congo accuse Apple of using ITSCI only as a "fig leaf" to make its supply chain appear clean. What is explosive is that the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), of which Apple is also a member, has already suspended ITSCI. This raises doubts about how reliable such monitoring systems actually are and whether they really guarantee that no conflict minerals enter the supply chains.
The role of France and Belgium
The criminal complaint was filed specifically in France and Belgium. Both countries are considered particularly strict when it comes to corporate accountability. The judicial authorities there must now decide whether to pursue the complaints and open proceedings against Apple. If charges are brought, this could have far-reaching consequences - not just for Apple but for the entire technology industry.
Why the case is so important
The competition for raw materials such as tin, tantalum and tungsten has led to a humanitarian catastrophe in the Congo. Armed groups control mines and smuggle minerals into global supply chains via neighboring countries. The case against Apple brings a serious problem to the table: how clean are our supply chains really? Despite all the voluntary commitments and monitoring programs, the reality in the affected regions often remains unchanged. The pressure on companies like Apple is growing. Consumers and governments are increasingly demanding transparency and ethical responsibility from global corporations.
What happens next?
The judiciary in France and Belgium will decide whether to open proceedings. If there is a conviction, this could set a precedent that would have far-reaching consequences for the entire technology industry. The case shows once again how important it is for companies to make their supply chains truly transparent and take due diligence seriously. Apple is the focus of the accusations, but the question remains: how deep does the problem of conflict minerals really reach into global technology production?
Apple and the big questions about supply chain transparency
The criminal complaint against Apple is more than just a legal dispute. It focuses on a systematic problem in global supply chains. Although Apple claims not to use conflict minerals, the allegations raise questions about the effectiveness of existing control systems. It remains to be seen whether Apple can refute the accusations or whether the judiciary will open proceedings. One thing is clear: the case could reignite the entire debate about ethical raw material procurement and the responsibility of large corporations. (Photo by BalkansCat / Bigstockphoto)
(Note: The article was updated on December 18, 2024 - Statement from Apple)
