Apple Accused of Using Conflict Minerals from Sub-Saharan Africa
Recently, lawyers representing the Central African country have accused Apple’s subsidiaries in Europe of using conflict minerals sourced from sub-Saharan Africa. The country claims that Apple is engaging in deceptive commercial practices by assuring consumers that their supply chains are clean. According to Alex Kopp, a senior campaigner at the Global Witness NGO, rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) occupy mines and trading routes, forcing workers to work for free and illegally smuggling minerals through countries like Rwanda. These minerals eventually end up in the hands of big companies like Apple.
In response to the allegations, Apple stated in a media release that they have notified their suppliers to suspend sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the DRC and Rwanda due to escalating conflict in the region earlier this year.
For more information, you can read the full article on Al Jazeera.
