The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has filed a criminal case against Apple Inc. over allegations the tech giant used “blood minerals” in its supply chain. The case targets Apple subsidiaries in Belgium and France.
The DRC government accuses Apple of purchasing minerals from conflict zones in eastern Congo and neighboring Rwanda, where illegal mining is widespread. The charges reportedly include war crimes, money laundering, forgery, and deception.
According to Congolese lawyers, Apple is accused of buying contraband minerals from regions controlled by armed groups, who are alleged to profit from human rights abuses, including massacres, rape, and looting. The materials are said to have been integrated into global supply chains before being used in Apple products.
The DRC claims Apple is complicit in these crimes by sourcing minerals linked to violence in the region. United Nations experts and human rights groups have raised concerns about the exploitation of artisanal mines, many of which are controlled by militias.
Apple, however, maintains it does not directly source minerals from conflict zones, but instead relies on a network of suppliers that it says rigorously verifies for compliance. The company insists its supply chain is transparent and works to avoid sourcing from areas tainted by human rights violations.
Rwanda has rejected the accusations, calling them baseless.
Eastern DRC has been embroiled in violent conflict for decades, with armed groups and the Congolese military fighting for control of the region’s rich mineral resources.
