Steve Jobs, I want "Conflict Free Minerals"

20 Jul 2010

Desirable metals such as gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum are used in gadgets, computers and wiring for just about every product available. But in war torn Congo, these minerals are mined and sold to finance wars. You may have heard of conflict or blood diamonds, well these "Conflict Minerals" are the same thing. I shouldn't have to choose between buying a cellphone or preventing violence in a war torn part of Africa. So I wrote to Steve Jobs and told him I want a solution.

Dear Steve Jobs,

I have been a Mac fan since my Dad bought our Performa back in the early 90s. It was a great all-in-one with a TV tuner that sent me on my way to becoming a total nerd. But I'm more than just a computer nerd; I'm a civic activist too. Recently, squaring the two has become difficult since I am never sure if the next gadget I buy will be made with conflict minerals.

Gold, tin, tantalum and tungsten, and other such conflict minerals are sold by armed groups to fund war in the DR Congo and neighboring states. Children, slaves and prisoners of war are tasked with mining these elements, often until they die. Once mined, these metals make their way around the world to secondary industries where they are converted into wires, chips and components. Every consumer of electronics is becoming an inadvertent perpetrator of this cycle of violence, and it must be halted. Unfortunately, I cannot differentiate between electronics made with conflict minerals from those that are not. I cannot pick electronics from the "conflict free" aisle like I pick a tomato from the "organic" food section of the store.

That means the onus is on you and Apple. In your response to one emailer in late June of this year, you wrote: "We require all of our suppliers to certify in writing that they use conflict [free] materials. But honestly there is no way for them to be sure. Until someone invents a way to chemically trace minerals from the source mine, it's a very difficult problem." I believe such a stance is insufficient. I would like to see you make a stronger commitment to finding a solution. Apple prides itself on innovation, so please innovate a solution! Your leadership qualities are well known, so please take the lead! Others will follow and, I hope, will want to partner with you.

I look forward to seeing you act to prevent the use of conflict minerals in apple products.

Sincerely,
LTR