input2024.04.26 10:41
correction2024.04.26 10:53
Apple accelerates mineral recycling
The Democratic Republic of Congo government claimed that “Apple products are contaminated with the blood shed by its citizens.” It is claimed that Apple is using minerals illegally exported from war-torn regions without permission.
On the 25th (local time), the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo sent an official letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook through its representatives, requesting “to thoroughly identify the origin of minerals used in the manufacture of Apple products.” Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
There have been consistent claims that Apple is illegally sourcing minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Accordingly, Apple began its own investigation, and recently concluded, “Apple’s supply chain companies are directly or indirectly paying kickbacks to armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through tin, tungsten, tantalum, and other mineral smelters operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” “There is no reasonable basis to make the decision,” he announced.
However, Democratic Republic of Congo government lawyers immediately objected. They protested that “Apple’s iPhones, Mac computers and all other accessories are contaminated with the blood of Congolese citizens.” Tin, tungsten, tantalum, etc. are essential minerals for smartphone manufacturing. They were hired by the Democratic Republic of Congo government in September last year to investigate the illegal export of the mineral.
The ‘Congo Mining Belt’, which runs along the borders of Uganda and Rwanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has the world’s largest deposits of coltan, an ore from which tantalum and other substances are extracted. However, the area is currently suffering from fighting between government forces and M23 rebels.
Over the past decade, Apple has been expanding its use of recycled materials in its devices to reduce the consumption of minerals from conflict zones. In 2014, it was announced that “in the long term, we will completely stop mining to obtain new minerals.” Apple stated in its recently released ‘Environmental Report’ that “More than 20% of the materials used in Apple products last year came from recycled raw materials,” and “This includes more than 99% of the tungsten used in products.”
Reporter Kim Rian [email protected]
