Snapshot: In December 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) filed criminal complaints in Belgium and France against Apple’s local subsidiaries, alleging that the companies' supply chains include conflict minerals originating from the DRC. This case profile looks at the proceedings in France against Apple France and Apple Retail France. In February 2025, the French prosecutor’s office dismissed the case, considering the allegations “not sufficiently well-founded”. See here the profile of the proceedings in Belgium.

Factual Background:

The DRC government, civil society and UN experts report that large quantities of tin, tungsten, and tantalum (known as the 3T minerals) exported from Rwanda as "conflict-free" in fact originate in conflict-affected areas of the DRC and are illegally smuggled across the border. This trade is reportedly linked to the financing of armed groups and serious human rights abuses amid the ongoing conflict between the government and the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, for control over the mineral-rich Kivu provinces.

Listed US companies (since 2010) and EU companies (since 2021) that use 3T minerals are required to examine their supply chains to ensure that the minerals are sourced responsibly and are not contributing to conflict or human rights abuses, in line with OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. However, certain certification schemes established to demonstrate compliance with these obligations have reportedly facilitated the laundering of smuggled minerals from the DRC.

The M23’s offensive intensified in 2024, which has led, according to UN experts, to unprecedented contamination of global 3T mineral supply chains and increased revenue for the group. Since early 2025, the rebels have seized significant territory, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region. In February 2025, the European Parliament called for the suspension of the EU-Rwanda minerals deal due to the country’s involvement in the conflict. Rwanda denies links to M23 rebels.

Legal Argument:

The DRC accuses Apple France and Apple Retail France of the crimes of receiving goods originating from criminal activity, laundering and deceptive commercial practices in connection with its alleged sourcing of conflict minerals and its assurances that the minerals it uses are “conflict-free.”

Legal Proceeding:

In April 2024, lawyers representing the DRC sent a formal cease-and-desist notice to Apple’s US-based parent company and its French subsidiaries, warning of potential legal action and posing a series of questions regarding Apple's supply chain for 3T minerals.

On 17 December 2024, the DRC filed a criminal complaint in France against Apple France and Apple Retail France, alleging the company is involved in sourcing conflict minerals from the DRC through its supply chains. Following the complaint, Apple announced it would suspend purchases of minerals from the DRC but denied the allegations.

In February 2025, the French prosecutor’s office dismissed the case, considering the allegations “not sufficiently well-founded”. DRC’s lawyers said they intend to challenge the dismissal.

News items

Paris prosecutor drops case against Apple over Congo minerals, document shows, Reuters, 27 February 2025

Rwandan troops ‘dying in large numbers in DRC’, despite official denials of role, The Guardian, 7 February 2025

The DRC’s historic case against Apple over blood minerals in its supply chain, Peoples Dispatch, 30 December 2024

La République Démocratique du Congo contre Apple : une bataille juridique sur les minerais de conflit, Financial Afrik, 29 December 2024

Why the DR Congo sued Apple over 'conflict minerals', DW, 21 December 2024

Apple says it has told suppliers to stop buying minerals from Congo, Reuters 17 December 2024.

La RDC dépose une plainte contre Apple, DW, 17 December 2024

Congo sues Apple in France, Belgium over conflict minerals, Reuters, 17 December 2024

UN says Congo rebels generating $300,000 monthly in seized mining area, Reuters, 30 September 2024

DRC accuses Apple of using illegally exploited minerals from conflict-torn east, Le Monde, 25 April 2024

Documents from DRC's lawyers

Press Release: Apple Hit with Criminal Complaints in France and Belgium over “Blood Minerals” in Supply Chain, Amsterdam & Partners LLP, 17 December 2024

Apple Facing Scrutiny over African Supply Chains Tainted by Blood Minerals, Amsterdam & Partners LLP, 25 April 2024

Amsterdam & Partners LLP Appointed by Democratic Republic of Congo to Investigate Laundering of Critical Minerals, Amsterdam & Partners LLP, 11 December 2023

Documents from NGOs

The ITSCI laundromat, Global Witness, 26 April 2022

Other background documents

Crisis in the DRC: What's happening?, UN peacekeeping’s Strategic Communications team, 25 February 2025

MEPs want to suspend EU-Rwanda deal on sustainable value chains for critical raw materials, European Parliament Press Room, 13 February 2025

Midterm report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UN Security Council, 27 December 2024

Midterm report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UN Security Council, 30 December 2023

Conflict Minerals Regulation: The regulation explained, European Commission

FACT SHEET: Disclosing the Use of Conflict Minerals, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, OECD, 6 April 2016