The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alleges that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is sourcing minerals from conflict areas in eastern Congo.
What Happened: The DRC’s international lawyers, Amsterdam & Partners, has been investigating allegations that minerals mined in Congo are smuggled through Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.
In an April notification to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the lawyers outlined concerns regarding this supply chain in the eastern DRC. They allege that armed groups are mining conflict minerals, including tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (collectively known as 3TG), and smuggling them through neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda.
These minerals may then be inadvertently incorporated into Apple products.
"It is more urgent than ever that Apple provide real answers to the very serious questions we have raised, as we evaluate our legal options," said Congo's lawyer Robert Amsterdam.
Benzinga has contacted Apple for comment on this report.
"The absence of a response is ...