Apple: We've Instructed Our Suppliers to Halt Mineral Sourcing from Congo

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) firmly rejected allegations that it uses conflict minerals in its products and stated that it instructed its suppliers earlier this year to stop purchasing these minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. In its statement, Apple mentioned that due to the escalating conflicts in the region, it advised its suppliers to cease the procurement of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from smelters and refineries in these two countries. Apple's statement comes in response to a complaint filed against the company in France and Belgium, where the government of Congo alleged that Apple uses conflict minerals that have been laundered through its international supply chains.