In December 2024 the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government put the spotlight on the supply of conf lict minerals from the Copperbelt when it filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium for “illegal and even criminal export and delivery” of minerals exported via Rwanda.On February 18, the Paris public prosecutor’s office dismissed the complaint, stating that allegations were “not sufficiently well-founded”.Apple, in its initial response to the allegations, said it had instructed its suppliers to adhere to the “highest industry standards” and not use minerals sourced fromCongoor Rwanda.The case may not be over. DRC lawyers William Bourdon and Vincent Brengarth described it as a “very partial dismissal” and said that they would approach the Paris Court of Appeal. Other manufacturers could also be charged. The DRC is a major source of the “3T” minerals – tin, tantalum and tungsten – which are essential for the manufacture of electronic goods such as computers and mobile phones. The Rwanda-sponsored M23 group, which recently killed 14 South African peacekeepers, have long been accused of taking over mines in eastern DRC and exporting the minerals through Rwanda.They have competition. It is estimated that more than 120 militias are active in the region. M23 is reported to control the Rubaya area of the DRC, which supplies about 15% of the world’s tantalum needed for the manufacture of cellphones and laptops.BMI says in its latest sub-Saharan Monthly Outlook that it expects the DRC and Rwanda to “engage in direct conf lict in the short term” following continued advances by the M23 group in the region.“In the medium term, our core view is that a lopsided (in Rwanda’s favour) and shaky peace deal will be agreed, but we also note that Rwanda could continue to occupy a substantial portion of Congolese territory,” it states.It is not only conf lict and human rights abuses which are largely out of sight and out of mind of the countries and companies which rely on DRC minerals.Mining practices in the Katanga region of the DRC have caused significant environmental degradation.Neeraja Kulkarni of Climate Diplomacy reports that farmers in the Katangese Copperbelt complain that mining operations severely affect their physiological health and create river pollution-induced crop loss.Logistics operations are affected by the armed conf lict and unrest, which has led to border closures between the DRC and Zambia. ER
Conflict and environmental damage take shine off exports
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