KINSHASA, April 25 (Reuters) – The Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns with Apple Inc about the possibility of conflict minerals in its supply chain, according to international lawyers hired by Congo. The minerals in question, sourced from the conflict-prone eastern regions of Congo, include tin, tungsten, and tantalum, commonly used in electronic devices such as cell phones and computers. Eastern Congo has experienced significant violence since the 1990s, with millions killed as disputes over national identity, ethnicity, and resources have intensified. These minerals are often illegally smuggled through neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi after being mined in Congo.
In an effort to address these concerns, Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi engaged Amsterdam & Partners LLP in September 2023 to investigate the supply chains for these minerals, known as 3T minerals. The law firm subsequently notified Apple CEO Tim Cook, seeking clarifications and responses regarding the sourcing practices of these minerals. Amsterdam & Partners issued a statement highlighting inconsistencies in the claims made by Apple about the verification of mineral origins. “While Apple maintains that it verifies the origins of the minerals used in its products, these claims have not been substantiated with concrete, verifiable evidence,” the statement read. The firm also pointed to discrepancies in reported mineral production, noting that despite Rwanda’s minimal production of key 3T minerals, many large tech companies report sourcing their minerals from Rwanda.
In response, Apple directed inquiries to its latest Conflict Minerals Report, which stated that all identified smelters and refiners for Apple products manufactured in 2023 had undergone an independent third-party audit for 3T and gold minerals (3TG). “We found no reasonable basis for concluding that any of the smelters or refiners of 3TG determined to be in our supply chain as of December 31, 2023, directly or indirectly financed or benefited armed groups in the DRC or an adjoining country,” the report asserted. The concerns raised by Amsterdam & Partners coincide with the release of a report by the firm accusing Rwanda and private entities of laundering conflict minerals from Congo. The governments of Rwanda and Congo have yet to respond to these allegations. Congo remains the world’s top producer of tantalum, followed by Rwanda, and is a leading producer of copper and cobalt, crucial for electric batteries. The mineral wealth of Congo is largely concentrated in its eastern regions, where security has deteriorated further since the resurgence of the M23 rebel group in March 2022.
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