14 DAY TRIAL // Targeted by organizations like Friends of Earth, Apple has updated its Supplier Responsibility site to address concerns regarding illegal tin mining in Bangka Island, Indonesia.
On its Supplier Responsibility page, Apple acknowledges that Bangka Island in 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,” it states. “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,” says Apple.
Apple is not admitting to anything for now, despite having as many as 249 suppliers sourcing tin for use in the assembly of its products. The company is currently trying to assess whether its own suppliers are obtaining tin illegally.
The aforementioned tree-hugging organization, Friends of the Earth, says illegal tin mining in Indonesia destroys tropical forests, coral reefs and fishermen’s livelihoods.