Apple makes progress in sourcing conflict-free minerals
According to the specialized disclosure, ethical mineral sourcing is part of Apple's human rights initiative and, as such, the company is determined to use only "conflict free" minerals in its products. The report covers results of Apple's initiative for the 2013 calendar year.
Apple has been investigating the use and sources of tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold used in various iOS and Mac products since 2009. Unlike other companies that simply sourcing materials from verified smelters, Apple has taken a more proactive route and is currently pushing smelters and refiners to comply with the Conflict-Free Smelter Program.
As described by Apple, "conflict minerals" are materials sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring regions, then sold to fund fighting and what amounts to human rights abuses.
With its huge market reach, Apple is in a prime position to make a change when it comes to ethical mineral sourcing and the company knows it. In February, Apple focused on conflict minerals in its annual Supplier Responsibility report, noting that substantial progress has been made in certain areas like tantalum production. Greenpeace, known to be critical of Apple's worldwide operations, lauded the company for its efforts a day later.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/05/29/apple-touts-progress-in-sourcing-conflict-free-minerals
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