Apple Investigates Claim of Using Dangerous, Illegally Mined Tin in Products

Apple has updated its Supplier Responsibility page to indicate it has "lead a fact-finding visit" to Indonesia to identify if suppliers are using tin from unregulated and illegal mines.

Apple has funded a new environmental task group to investigate any mining operations in the area to better understand the situation.

Bangka Island, Indonesia, is one of the world’s principal tin-producing regions. Recent concerns about the illegal mining of tin from this region prompted Apple to lead a fact-finding visit to learn more. Using the information we’ve gathered, Apple initiated an EICC working group focused on this issue, and we are helping to fund a new study on mining in the region so we can better understand the situation.


According to the report, 249 on Apple's suppliers use tin in the production of its products. Apple says it is still working to "better understand the situation." Samsung has already admitted to using this illegally mined tin as well. Samsung is investigating as well and promised to take action.

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