APPLE'S STATEMENT ON MINERALS MUST BE 'VERIFIED'-DRC. (PHOTO).
Apple's statement on minerals must be 'verified': DRC International lawyers for the Democratic Republic of Congo welcomed Apple's decision to stop sourcing minerals from there due to worsening conflict, but said they would press ahead with their cases against the company in Europe. Criminal complaints were filed against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium this week on behalf of DR Congo, accusing the tech firm of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, Reuters reported. DR Congo is a major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten, so-called 3T minerals used in computers and mobile phones. But some artisanal mines are run by armed groups involved in massacres, rapes and other crimes, say UN experts and rights groups. 'Satisfaction and caution' Apple said on Tuesday that it strongly disputes the claims and has told suppliers they must not use the minerals in question sourced from DR Congo or Rwanda. The lawyers representing DR Congo said on Wednesday they w...