Apple Orders Suppliers to Halt Purchasing Conflict Minerals from Congo and Rwanda

[Apple Informs Suppliers to Cease Purchasing Mineral Products from Congo]

Apple said on Tuesday that it strongly disputes allegations regarding the use of conflict minerals in its products and earlier this year instructed suppliers to stop sourcing these minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. In a statement, Apple said that due to escalating conflicts in the region, it informed its suppliers that their smelters and refineries must cease purchasing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from these two countries. Previously, Congo had filed criminal complaints against Apple in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using metal minerals from criminal organizations in the country within its supply chain.