A French court has dismissed a case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that accused Apple of using conflict minerals in its supply chain. The case alleged that Apple’s suppliers sourced tin, tungsten, and tantalum (3T materials) from conflict zones in the DRC, indirectly funding violent groups.
Congo’s lawyers initially sought a response from Apple and CEO Tim Cook. After receiving no satisfactory answer, they took the matter to a Paris court in December 2024. However, the Paris prosecutor’s office closed the case, according to a Reuters report citing a document from French authorities.
Apple Faces Ongoing Scrutiny Over Supply Chain Ethics
The complaint accused Apple of committing crimes against humanity by allegedly benefiting from conflict minerals. It also challenged the credibility of ITSCI, an organization responsible for tracking conflict minerals, claiming it lacked independence due to funding from the metals industry.
While France has dropped the case, the DRC filed a similar lawsuit in Belgium, where legal proceedings are still ongoing. At this time, Belgian authorities have not provided updates on the case’s status.
Apple’s History with Conflict Minerals
Apple has not commented on the court ruling. However, in 2020, the company stated it had dropped 18 suppliers for failing to meet ethical sourcing standards. Apple has previously emphasized its commitment to responsible mineral sourcing and transparency in its supply chain.
Despite these efforts, human rights organizations continue to scrutinize Apple and other tech companies over ethical sourcing. The use of conflict minerals remains a controversial issue in the electronics industry, as many suppliers operate in regions with armed conflict and exploitation risks.
What’s Next?
Although Apple has won this case in France, the outcome of the Belgian lawsuit remains uncertain. If Belgian courts take a different stance, Apple could face further legal challenges.
For now, the ruling marks a victory for Apple, but the company will likely remain under global scrutiny over its supply chain practices.
