A Load Too Heavy: Children in mining and quarrying

An estimated one million children work in small scale mining and quarrying around the world. These children work in some of the worst conditions imaginable, where they face serious risk of work-related death, injury or chronic illness.

In surface and underground mines, children work long hours, carry heavy loads, set explosives, sieve sand and dirt, crawl through narrow tunnels, inhale harmful dusts and work in water - often in the presence of dangerous toxins such as lead and mercury. Children mine diamonds, gold, and precious metals in Africa, gems and rock in Asia, and gold, coal, emeralds and tin in South America.

In rock quarries located in many parts of the world, children face safety and health risks from pulling and carrying heavy loads, inhaling hazardous dust and particles and using dangerous tools and crushing equipment.

ILO pilot projects have demonstrated that it is possible to eliminate child labour in mining and quarrying communities by helping them to acquire legal rights, organize cooperatives or other productive units, improve the health and safety and productivity of adult workers, and secure essential services, such as schools, clean water and sanitation systems.

The removal of all child workers from small scale mines and quarries is an achievable goal. On 12 June 2005, the fourth World Day Against Child Labour will be dedicated to finding a way to make it a reality.

Press releases

ILO urges ban on child labour in small-scale mines and quarries

Initiative is part of World Day Against Child Labour activities to be held worldwide

Workers, employers and governments are to join the International Labour Organization (ILO) in marking the World Day Against Child Labour this year by calling for the elimination of child labour in one of the world's most dangerous sectors - small-scale mining and quarrying - within five to 10 years.

Thursday 9 June 2005 (ILO/05/29)

World Day against Child Labour 2005 to focus on child labour in mines and quarries

The plight of children who work in mines and quarries that are often dangerous, dirty and can post a grave risk to their health and safety will be the focus of the fourth World Day Against Child Labour, scheduled for 12 June 2005, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said today.

Friday 25 February 2005 (ILO/05/12)

Feature

Digging for survival: The harsh reality of child mining worldwide

Of the estimated 250 million child labourers worldwide, the ILO believes more than one million work in mines and quarries. Under ILO Convention No. 182, working in mines and quarries can be defined as one of the worst forms of child labour - exposing children to severe occupational hazards and often depriving them of basic freedoms.