On January 20, an investigating magistrate was appointed in Belgium following allegations made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo in December accusing Apple subsidiaries of utilizing conflict minerals in their supply chain, disclosed a lawyer for Congo on Monday.
Leo Fastenakel, a lawyer representing the Congolese government in Belgium, affirmed, "I can confirm that the Belgian investigating judge has been appointed." He further expressed confidence saying, "We believe he is a serious and rigorous judge," without disclosing the magistrate's name.
A decision regarding potential offenses will be based on an inquiry led by the investigating magistrate, as shared by another lawyer involved in the case with Reuters in December.
Congo is a significant source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten, known as 3T minerals, which are commonly used in electronics. However, some artisanal mines are operated by armed groups linked to atrocities such as massacres, rapes, and looting, as reported by UN experts and human rights organizations. This has prompted calls for companies to avoid these "conflict minerals".
An inquiry has been requested from Apple.
Previously, the iPhone manufacturer had strongly refuted the accusations and informed its suppliers in 2024 not to procure the disputed minerals from Congo or Rwanda.
The lawyers representing Congo expressed satisfaction and caution in response to Apple's statement at that time.