Stop Slavery in African Goldmines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 underground. 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 and then carrying bags of mud on their heads or backs to sieving and washing sites.

 

In all mining sites, there is risk of falling down open shafts or into pits that are scattered around the areas. Mining is considered a form of hazardous labor unfit for children under any circumstances, including poverty. Mining can lead to serious injuries; health consequences and an unknown number of children lose their lives while mining every year. It is estimated that around 1 million children work in mines throughout the world.

 

Mining is considered a form of hazardous labor unfit for children under any circumstances, including poverty. Mining can lead to serious injuries; health consequences and an unknown number of children lose their lives while mining every year. Around the world, children, ages 5-17, work in mines for as little as $2 per day because of the relatively small number of child miners (one million), compared to child laborers in agriculture (over 100 million), child mining has not received the attention it deserves. Additionally, mining often takes place in temporary, remote, small-scale locations making it difficult to regulate and monitor.

 

Home For All has tracked down 110 industries that manipulates children into child laor and the children who were suffering are now in the Home For All. These children are been taken care of and the NGO provides education and fufills their basic needs.