Although there have been many accusations from the outside world, Apple insists that the iPhones and iPads used by users do not contain conflict minerals purchased from armed groups in Africa. While Apple has always taken pride in its supply chain and environmental practices, the company continues to face scrutiny over the materials used in its products. Legal complaints in 2024, protests during the iPhone 16 launch, and a lawsuit in 2025 all accused Apple of using conflict minerals.
In 2018, 2019 and 2022, Apple cut ties with suppliers that sourced conflict minerals, effectively indicating that all tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold in its products did not come from armed groups. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday, Apple reiterated that stance. The company said its "responsible mineral sourcing program covers requirements at all levels of Apple's supply chain," and claimed that 100 percent of the tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold smelters and refineries identified in Apple's supply chain are required to undergo independent third-party audits annually.
These requirements apply to supply chain partners who use these four metals in the manufacturing of iPhone, Mac, iPad, AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, Beats products, HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple Card, and all Apple accessories. As an additional measure for third-party audits, suppliers are also required to submit a conflict minerals reporting template. Apple will terminate business relationships with suppliers who fail to pass audits or do not meet company standards. Apple explained that no such supply chain partners will be delisted during 2025.
According to the SEC filing, as of December 31, 2025, the smelters or refiners identified in Apple's supply chain "have no reasonable basis to suggest that they directly or indirectly provide funding or benefit to armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo or neighboring countries." The company reached this conclusion by "analyzing third-party audit programs, upstream traceability programs, independent reports, and information provided by suppliers." Apple said it also relies on U.S. Geological Survey data, smelter and refinery surveys, and third-party reviews of publicly available information to evaluate suppliers.
However, Apple also cautioned that it "cannot always determine the country of origin of the four metals actually contained in specific parts and products" because "smelters and refiners report country of origin information in aggregate form for all metal materials they process." Essentially, Apple is saying that, to the best of the company's knowledge, its products do not contain conflict minerals. Apple has made this claim in the past, but it has always been met with skepticism.
A lawsuit filed in November 2025 by an international rights advocacy group claimed that three Chinese smelters - Ningxia Dongfang, Jiujiang Jinxin and Jiujiang Tantalum Niobium - processed coltan smuggled through Rwanda and that the ore was seized by armed groups from mining areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Apple's 2024 supply chain partner list includes these three companies. In December 2024, complaints were also filed in France and Belgium against Apple's alleged use of conflict minerals.
In September 2024, anti-genocide protesters also accused Apple of using conflict minerals. They claimed that "militia groups backed by Uganda and Rwanda have stolen coltan and are killing and raping people, enslaving men, women and children to mine coltan in dangerous conditions. Apple is buying the coltan." In April 2024, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo questioned the validity of Apple’s stated supplier code of conduct. Overall, Apple's claims about its supply chain partners' use of conflict minerals have faced significant scrutiny over the past two years. It remains to be seen whether more allegations regarding the use of conflict minerals will emerge in the future.