An advocacy group in the U.S. is suing Apple, saying that the company profited from using conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The case filed in Washington D.C., argues that Apple’s supply chain due diligence failed to stop the use of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold in its global supply chain that was linked to armed violence, forced labor, and environmental damages.
Photo: “Apple Store” by Neils Epting is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. The Washington-based nonprofit International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) seeks the court’s determination on Apple’s conduct related to minerals mined under abusive conditions in eastern Congo. According to the group, minerals were smuggled through three Chinese smelters, before entering international markets. These minerals are essential components in consumer electronics sold globally, including smartphones and computers.
Apple has denied the claims, saying that it requires its suppliers to meet strict standards and that it takes part in independent audits to find out where minerals come from. The company stressed that it is a member of industry groups that work to promote conflict-free sourcing. It also said that it regularly drops suppliers that don’t meet compliance standards. Apple also pointed to rules that are already in place, like the U.S. conflict mineral disclosure rules, as proof that it is still working on the issue.
The lawsuit brings attention to the ongoing difficulties of holding people accountable in complicated electronics supply chains, especially in areas with a lot of minerals but also a lot of conflict. Some related legal cases in Europe have been thrown out because of jurisdictional issues, but the U.S. case brings up new questions about corporate responsibility and legal responsibility for human rights violations that happen abroad.
The lawsuit highlights persistent challenges in enforcing accountability across complex electronics supply chains, particularly in mineral-rich but conflict-affected regions. The outcome could change how electronics companies think about legal risk, improve traceability systems, and work with mineral suppliers that are high-risk.
The IRAdvocates previously filed a lawsuit against tech firms including Tesla.
The original article is written by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and David Lewis and originally published in Reuters.
