The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has begun criminal proceedings against Apple’s European subsidiaries. The DRC accuses the company of mixing illegally mined “blood minerals” into its global supply chain.
The charges, filed in Paris and Brussels, claim that Apple obtained minerals from conflict-torn eastern DRC and Rwanda, where elements are apparently mined illegally and then integrated into tech equipment.
The charges also allege that Apple’s French and Belgian subsidiaries deceived customers about the integrity of their supply networks.
Lawyers representing the DRC stated the case encompasses war crimes, money laundering, forgery, and consumer deception. Paris-based lawyer William Bourdon described the legal action as “a first step towards holding one of the largest global tech players accountable for profiting at the expense of grave crimes tainting African mineral supply chains.”
The DRC’s Washington-based lawyer Robert Amsterdam described the lawsuit as a “first salvo” in broader legal efforts. “Apple cannot continue to hide behind its narrative of supply chain transparency. It is time for accountability,” he said.
Apple has denied the allegations, asserting it has “no reasonable basis for concluding” that its products contain minerals illegally sourced from conflict zones. The company maintains its supply chain is rigorously verified to exclude minerals linked to violence and exploitation.
The DRC’s mineral-rich east has been plagued by militia violence for decades, exacerbated by illicit mining activities that fuel armed conflicts and severe human rights abuses, including child labor and environmental devastation.
The legal team substantiated claims of widespread harm by citing findings from the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, and NGOs such as Global Witness. The lawyers have also written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the EU to engage in dialogue to strengthen accountability and halt armed violence linked to mineral supply chains.
The tensions are rooted in decades of conflict in the DRC’s east, exacerbated by the resurgence of M23 rebels—widely believed to be backed by Rwanda—since late 2021.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The DRC’s lawyers have also contacted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging dialogue on improving accountability in supply chains and ending violence tied to resource extraction in Africa.
- As European regulators and consumers intensify their scrutiny of corporate supply chains, Apple’s operations—and its role as one of the world’s largest corporations—face mounting questions about ethical responsibility in a globalized economy.
- The litigation highlights growing tensions surrounding resource extraction in sub-Saharan Africa, where minerals essential for consumer electronics remain entangled with conflict, displacement, and economic exploitation.
Apple’s compliance practices and its reported $3 trillion valuation are expected to face heightened scrutiny amid calls for ethical sourcing and global corporate responsibility.
