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Congo attorneys say they have brand-new proof on Apple's minerals supply chain

International lawyers representing the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo stated on Wednesday they had brand-new evidence gathered from whistleblowers, which deepened concerns that Apple might be sourcing minerals from dispute areas in eastern Congo.

In a declaration, the legal representatives urged Apple to answer concerns about its supply chain in the nation, and stated they were assessing legal choices. Apple did not right away respond to a. ask for remark.

Congo has been wrecked by violence because the 1990s,. particularly in the restive east, where a myriad of armed. groups, a few of them backed by neighbouring Rwanda, fight over. nationwide identity, ethnic background, and resources.

Congo's legal representatives notified Apple CEO Tim Prepare on April 22 of a. series of concerns about its supply chain, and likewise wrote to. Apple subsidiaries in France, demanding responses within 3. weeks. The Amsterdam & & Partners LLP law office has been. examining claims that minerals mined in Congo by. numerous companies and armed groups are being smuggled out. through Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.

The company stated in a declaration on Wednesday that, four weeks. later on, the tech giant has remained silent and neither responded to. nor even acknowledged receipt of the questions.

Among the attorneys, Robert Amsterdam, said the firm has. considering that gotten brand-new evidence from whistleblowers.

It is more immediate than ever that Apple offer genuine responses. to the really serious concerns we have raised, he said in the. declaration.

Apple has actually stated in the past that it does not straight buy,. obtain or source primary minerals, and it has been auditing its. providers for several years and publishing its findings.

In a report last year, it stated that 100% of identified. smelters and refiners in the supply chain for all appropriate. Apple items produced in 2023 had actually participated in an. independent third-party conflict minerals audit for tin,. tantalum, and tungsten, called 3T minerals, and gold (3TG).

We discovered no affordable basis for concluding that any of the. smelters or refiners of 3TG determined to be in our supply chain. since December 31, 2023 straight or indirectly financed or. benefited armed groups in the DRC or an adjacent nation, the. Apple report said.

Another attorney from Amsterdam & & Partners LLP, Peter Sahlas,. informed that people who dealt with Apple's supply chain. verification in Congo had actually come forward to state that their. contracts were ended after they flagged issues that. blood minerals were in Apple's supply chain.

We are engaging with these individuals and evaluating their. evidence and will have more to say once we have actually completed robust. verifications, Sahlas said, without offering more details.

Because the letter issued by Congo attorneys in April, clashes. have actually magnified in eastern Congo where Rwandan-backed M23. rebels have seized control of Rubaya, an essential mining town for. coltan used in smartphones and other appliances.

(source: Reuters)