The manufacture of electronics requires many valuable natural resources, including precious metals, and the high demand for such raw materials provides jobs not only to official but also to many illegal mining companies. According to reports, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Amazon bought gold illegally mined in Brazil to launch their products.
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According to the 9to5mac portal, quoting the Brazilian newspaper Repórter Brasil, the four IT giants mentioned used gold illegally mined on indigenous lands. These gold were used mainly for the release of smartphones and computers manufactured under the Apple and Microsoft brands, as well as server equipment from Google and Amazon.
According to published documents, companies purchased gold from Chimet and Marsam refineries between 2020 and 2021. Both companies are under investigation by Brazilian federal authorities for investigations into illegal mining of natural resources and damage to the environment. Although the extraction of natural resources on the lands of indigenous peoples in Brazil is prohibited, some companies still extract them. Especially because of this, the Amazon forests are disappearing and the waters of the river are polluted with mercury.
The US government ignores the situation
Every company whose shares are traded on the US stock exchanges is required to report on their natural resource suppliers for their production. However, although Chimet and Marsam are under investigation in Brazil, the companies are certified in the US and Europe. It seems that tech giants and US officials sometimes prefer not to know the source of the natural resources used by giant corporations.
Only Apple responded to a reporter’s request by stating that it no longer buys gold from Marsam. However, the technology giant skipped the issue of cooperation with Chimet. Apple also states that it adheres to strict standards in its collaboration organization and is constantly working to protect the environment and lives of millions of people connected in one way or another with its supply chain.
According to journalists, the US government also declined to comment on the news. In addition, the London Bullion Market Association announced that it is already aware of the investigation in Brazil and is in the process of reviewing the certificates of these mining companies.
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