- The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing them of using conflict minerals in their supply chain, which were allegedly obtained through armed conflicts.  

- The allegations claim that Apple is complicit in handling stolen goods and that their practices cover up war crimes, while Apple maintains that they do not directly source these minerals and conducts regular audits.  

- The complaints specifically target Apple France, Apple Retail France, and Apple Retail Belgium, and judicial authorities in these countries will decide whether to further investigate and potentially bring criminal charges.

Apple Faces Criminal Complaints Over Mineral Sourcing in Congo  
by Tim Hardwick  
Apple's subsidiaries in France and Belgium have been subjected to criminal complaints from the Democratic Republic of Congo, alleging that the technology company employs conflict minerals within its product supply chain (via Reuters).  

The complaints assert that Apple is involved in the handling of stolen goods and the laundering of minerals acquired through armed conflict in the region.  

Congo, a significant source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten—known as 3T minerals, which are utilized in computers and mobile devices—claims that Apple is utilizing minerals that have been illicitly extracted from its territory and subsequently laundered via international supply chains.  

The allegations are directed at Apple France, Apple Retail France, and Apple Retail Belgium, proposing that these entities are concealing war crimes and partaking in misleading commercial practices.  

France and Belgium were reportedly selected due to their perceived commitment to corporate accountability.  

Apple maintains that it does not directly source primary minerals and conducts regular audits of its suppliers. In its 2023 SEC filing, the company asserted that none of its suppliers of 3T minerals or gold have funded or benefited armed groups in Congo or neighboring nations.  

The complaints draw attention to ITSCI, a monitoring initiative funded by the metals industry aimed at enabling companies to conduct due diligence on mineral suppliers.  
Congo's legal representatives contend that Apple utilizes ITSCI as a façade to falsely portray its supply chain as responsible, despite the scheme being suspended by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), of which Apple is a participant.  

Competition for minerals has been a significant catalyst for conflict in eastern Congo's mining regions since the 1990s, leading to extensive civilian casualties and displacement.  
Armed factions often rely on mineral exports that are frequently smuggled across neighboring borders.  

Judicial authorities in France and Belgium are now poised to determine whether to pursue further investigation into the complaints and potentially file criminal charges.