The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC), represented by international solicitors, on Wednesday revealed new evidence obtained from whistleblowers.
The attorneys said they were considering their legal options in a statement and summoned Apple’s executives to respond to inquiries regarding sourcing minerals from conflict areas in eastern Congo.
In response, organisations like Fridays for Future activists have been protesting. The youth-led organisation, on Friday, vandalised an Apple store in Berlin, claiming the tech giant was procuring so-called conflict minerals from the Congo.
DRC possesses abundant amounts of “3T” components, which are essential for producing electronic devices such as computers and cell phones.
US-based Amsterdam & Partners LLP stated on Wednesday in a statement obtained by Newsng that the iPhone manufacturer benefited from “blood minerals,” a term used to describe minerals from nations devastated by conflict.
The California-based company’s reputation for social and environmental responsibility may suffer if the allegations prove to be accurate.
“In recent weeks, since the release of the Blood Minerals report by Amsterdam & Partners, we have received new evidence from whistleblowers. It is more urgent than ever that Apple provide real answers to the very serious questions we have raised, as we evaluate our legal options,” said Robert Amsterdam, a partner at Amsterdam & Partners LLP.
On April 22, Congo’s attorneys sent letters to Apple companies in France requesting responses within three weeks, and they also informed Apple CEO Tim Cook of several issues regarding the company’s supply chain.
The legal firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP has been looking into claims that armed groups and other firms are mining minerals in the Congo and smuggling them out through Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.
Apple has previously stated that it has audited its suppliers for several years and published its findings. It also does not directly purchase, obtain, or source primary minerals.
We earlier reported that Apple is once again reducing the prices of some iPhone models in China to increase sales and strengthen its position in the competitive smartphone industry.
