Learn more about child labour in mining

Child labour in gold mining

Gold mining is extremely dangerous work for children. Yet still today, tens of thousands are found in the small-scale gold mines of Africa, Asia and South America. Children work both above and under ground. In the tunnels and mineshafts they risk death from explosions, rock falls, and tunnel collapse. They breathe air filled with dust and sometimes toxic gases. Above ground, children dig, crush, mill, and haul ore – often in the hot sun. Some stand for hours in water, digging sand or silt from riverbeds. More…

Child labour in salt mining

In addition to the strain of the physical effort required in salt mining and harvesting, constant exposure to salt is unhealthy for children. Salt is corrosive. It causes skin on the hands to crack and discolouration of the iris that can damage vision. More…

Child labour in stone quarrying

Quarrying stone for construction material or to make gravel is hard and dangerous work, particularly for children. But for many poor youngsters whose families are involved in this activity, there is no other choice. Family earnings from quarrying may be barely sufficient to cover basic needs and money earned by children can be an important part of a household’s income. It may even mean the difference between eating and not eating on a given day. More…