Apple says supplies don't come from war zones

Advertisement
By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 14 February 2014 16:11 IST
Apple on Thursday said it has verified that an essential metal used in its mobile devices is not coming from sources that help finance violent groups in Africa.

The California-based maker of iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macintosh computers said it confirmed in January that smelters producing tantalum used in its devices were "conflict-free" by third-party auditors.

"We will continue to require all suppliers to use only verified tantalum sources," Apple said in a routinely issued Supplier Responsibility Report.

"We know supply chains fluctuate, and we'll maintain ongoing monitoring of our suppliers' smelters."

Advertisement

Mines producing tantalum, gold, tungsten and other minerals needed to make Internet Age mobile devices are seen as sources of funding for fighting by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Greenpeace praised Apple's efforts to shine light on its suppliers, calling it a hallmark of the California-based company's chief executive Tim Cook.

"Apple has flexed its muscles in the past to push suppliers to remove hazardous substances from products and provide more renewable energy for data centers, and it is proving the same model can work to reduce the use of conflict minerals," Greenpeace energy campaigner Tom Dowdall said in a release.

Advertisement

"Samsung and other consumer electronics companies should follow Apple's example and map its suppliers, so the industry can exert its collective influence to build devices that are better for people and the planet."

The report also indicated that suppliers were pretty much staying in line when it came to Apple rules regarding not abusing workers.

Advertisement

Apple suppliers averaged 95 percent compliance with an Apple edict that work weeks not exceed 60 hours, according to the report.

Apple also said it is "investing heavily" in education programs to help workers learn new skills and better understand their rights.

 

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.

Further reading: iPad, Apple, Apple iPhone, Macintosh, iPhone
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake, Delays 7 Games
  2. Here's When the Redmi Note 15 Pro and Note 15 Pro+ Will Launch in India
  3. YouTube Takes on OpenAI's Sora With AI-Generated Shorts Feature
  4. Top Deals on Soundbars From Sony, JBL, Sonos, More During the Amazon Sale
  5. NexDeck's New Smartphone Lets You Boot Android 16, Linux and Windows 11
  6. iQOO 15 Ultra Design and Colourways Teased Ahead of Launch
  7. Top Deals on JBL, Sony Speakers During Amazon Great Republic Day Sale
  8. Sony LinkBuds Clip Launched With Open-Ear Design at This Price
  9. Redmi Note 15 Pro Series 5G India Launch Gets Delayed
  10. Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Launch Date Surfaces Ahead of Unpacked Event
  1. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake Cancelled Alongside Five Unannounced Ubisoft Games
  2. YouTube Takes on OpenAI’s Sora, to Soon Let Users Create AI-Generated Shorts Using Their Own Likeness
  3. Redmi Note 15 Pro Series India Launch Date Announced; Company Confirms 200-Megapixel Rear Camera
  4. NexPhone Unveiled With 64-Megapixel Camera and Support for Android 16, Linux and Windows 11
  5. Spotify Lawsuit Led to Court Order That Cut Off Anna’s Archive Domains, Court Documents Show
  6. Bitcoin Price Today: Positive Crypto Market Sentiment Helps Bitcoin Reclaim $90,000 Level
  7. Thadayam OTT Release Details Revealed Online: Know Everything About This Upcoming Crime Thriller Series
  8. Aadukalam Streaming on SunNXT: Know Everything About Plot, Cast, and More
  9. WWE Unreal Season 2 Now Streaming on Netflix: Know Everything About Cast, Plot, and More
  10. Sankranthiki Vasthunam Now Available for Streaming on Zee5 and Amazon Prime Video
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.