A U.S.-based advocacy group filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming the company used minerals tied to conflict and human rights abuses in Congo and Rwanda. The complaint was lodged Tuesday in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Meanwhile, International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) says Apple’s supply chain still involves cobalt, tin, tantalum, and tungsten linked to child labor, forced labor, and armed groups. These minerals are crucial for phones, batteries, and computers.

Previously, IRAdvocates sued Apple, Tesla, and other tech firms over cobalt sourcing. However, U.S. courts dismissed that case last year. Similarly, French prosecutors dropped a case against Apple subsidiaries due to insufficient evidence. A related criminal complaint in Belgium remains under investigation.

Apple denied any wrongdoing and called the allegations “baseless.” Additionally, the company said that 99% of cobalt in Apple-designed batteries comes from recycled sources. It also instructed suppliers to stop sourcing from Congo and Rwanda after conflict intensified in eastern Congo in 2024.

Furthermore, Apple enforces strict sourcing rules through its Supplier Code of Conduct. The company also publishes regular reports to ensure transparency across its supply chain. Despite these measures, IRAdvocates argues that Apple misleads consumers about ethical sourcing.

The lawsuit identifies three Chinese smelters—Ningxia Orient, JiuJiang JinXin, and JiuJiang Tanbre—that allegedly processed coltan smuggled through Rwanda. Consequently, armed groups reportedly seized mines in eastern Congo before the minerals entered Apple’s supply chain.

IRAdvocates requests the court to declare Apple violated consumer protection laws, halt deceptive marketing, and cover legal costs. However, the group does not seek monetary damages or class certification.

Congo produces roughly 70% of the world’s cobalt and significant amounts of tin, tantalum, and tungsten. Therefore, global tech companies face increasing scrutiny regarding conflict-free sourcing.

Finally, this lawsuit could set a precedent for the tech industry, as regulators and advocacy groups push for accountability in mineral sourcing worldwide.

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