Belgium to investigate Apple's alleged use of Congolese 'blood minerals'
Belgium has launched an investigation into allegations that US technology giant Apple sourced "blood minerals" from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Financial Times writes. According to lawyers representing the DRC, Belgium appointed an investigating judge last week.
In December, lawyers representing the DRC filed complaints against Apple subsidiaries in Belgium and France. The African country accuses the company of buying "blood minerals" - also known as 3TG minerals such as tantalum, tin and gold - from illegal mines linked to the war in eastern Congo, child labour and environmental degradation.
Apple says it verifies the origin of the minerals it sources, which are labelled as coming from non-conflict areas or Rwanda. However, DRC believes these minerals come from illegal mines in eastern Congo and are laundered to become part of the legal supply chain.
M23 rebels
Many of these illegal mines are under the control of M23 rebels, a UN report revealed this month. The movement, which the UN and EU say is backed by the Rwandan government, illegally taxes mining operations and exports minerals, contaminating the global supply chain in the process.
“It isn’t just Apple but the EU itself that is engaged in this sophistry”
The DRC's lawyers believe that Apple knowingly sourced minerals from these mines. The company has consistently denied the allegations. However, in December it told suppliers to stop sourcing 3TG minerals from both the DRC and Rwanda, citing concerns that "independent auditors or industry certification mechanisms can no longer perform the due diligence required to meet our high standards".
While the DRC is still awaiting a decision in France, Belgium has launched an investigation into the matter. Prosecutors appointed an investigating judge last week, the Financial Times writes.
“This is the first step which shows that the prosecutor takes the case very seriously,” said Christophe Marchand, the lawyer who prepared the case in Belgium.
EU faces criticism
Lawyers representing the DRC have also contacted EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen over the issue. Last February, the bloc signed a memorandum of understanding with Rwanda to develop the country's sustainable 3TG mineral programmes.
But critics say the EU is fueling the conflict with the deal. "Anyone with a high school education knows that Rwanda doesn't have the minerals," said one lawyer. “It isn’t just Apple but the EU itself that is engaged in this sophistry.”
© PHOTO MICHAEL KUENNE / PRESSCOV VIA ZUMA PRESS WIRE
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