Apple Allegedly Using Illegally Mined Tin In Its Products
An article posted on the website of the environmental group “Friends of the Earth” is claiming that Apple is using illegally mined tin in its iPhones. The title reads, “It’s time for rotten Apple to come clean.”
It reads:
Since November 2012 over 24,000 of you have asked Apple whether it uses tin from Bangka Island, Indonesia. This tin has been linked to the destruction of tropical forests, coral reefs and fishermen’s livelihoods. Your pressure helped persuade Apple to set up a new industry group discussing how to tackle the problems on Bangka.This is a welcome first step. But Apple is still refusing to publicly come clean about where the tin in its smartphones is from.”
According to the site, they’ve written to Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, and visited Apple stores around the country, leaving tags on its products asking if they use tin from Bangka.
On Apple’s Supplier Responsibility page, the company vaguely addressing the issue, without admitting to anything, stating: “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.”
Apple competetior Samsung has admitted to using the tin, and pledged to take action. Now Friends of the Earth is turning up the heat on Apple, urging them to come clean and change their ways. The site has a petition users can sign to enforce its mission.
