The production of electronics uses a lot of valuable natural resources, including precious metals. The high demand for such raw materials provides work not only for official, but for many illegal mining companies. Apple, Google, Microsoft and Amazon purchased gold illegally mined in Brazil to release their solutions, reports Repórter Brasil.
According to the newspaper, illegally mined gold was mainly intended for the production of smartphones and computers under the Apple and Microsoft brands, as well as Google and Amazon server equipment. Judging by the documents obtained by Repórter Brasil journalists, IT giants acquired gold from Chimet and Marsam refineries in 2020-2021. Both companies have been investigated by the Brazilian federal authorities for illegal mining of natural resources on the lands of local indigenous peoples and damage to the environment.
Every company whose shares are traded on the US stock exchanges must report on the suppliers of natural resources for their production. However, while Chimet and Marsam are under investigation in Brazil, the companies are certified in the US and Europe.
According to journalists, the US government also declined to comment on the publication, and the London Precious Metals Market Association said that it was already aware of the investigation in Brazil and was in the process of reviewing the certificates of named resource companies.
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