KEY POINTS
- Africa accounts for 72 million children in labor, with mining posing significant health and safety risks.
- Poverty, lack of education, and weak legal structures perpetuate child labor in Africa’s mining sector.
- Enforce strict laws, promote education, diversify income sources, and ensure ethical sourcing in mining supply chains.
Child labor within Africa’s mining sector is a long-standing problem, endangering the safety, education, and welfare of countless children throughout the continent.
According to UNICEF, child labor refers to work that children are too young to perform or that – by its nature or circumstances – can be hazardous.
Since 2000, for almost two decades, the global community has been consistently advancing in decreasing child labor (United Nations, 2024).
However, in recent years, poor economic conditions, conflicts, crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic have driven more families into poverty and compelled millions of additional children into child labor.
Currently, 160 million children continue to participate in child labor. That amounts to nearly one in every ten children globally (United Nations, 2024).
Mining is a vital sector for Africa’s economic growth, offering crucial raw materials for industries across the globe, yet it remains infamous for child labor.
Addressing this pressing issue is essential for fostering sustainable development and protecting the rights of Africa’s future generations.
Scope and scale of the problem
Africa holds the top position among regions in terms of the proportion of children involved in child labour — one-fifth — as well as the total count of children in child labour — 72 million (United Nations, 2024).
In Africa’s mining industry, child labor is especially common in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), where children toil in dangerous conditions to extract minerals like gold, cobalt, and diamonds (International Labor Organization, 2019).
Nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, and Mali are key areas for child labor because of their plentiful mineral resources and inadequate regulatory systems (International Labor Organization, 2019).
High-risk minerals
Cobalt: The DRC generates more than 70 percent of the global cobalt supply, an essential element in batteries for electronic gadgets. An ILO report suggests that children as young as seven are employed in cobalt mines. This cobalt has been traced to lithium batteries sold by major multinational companies
Gold: In nations such as Burkina Faso, Ghana and Mali, children participate in gold mining, frequently employing harmful substances like mercury.
In Burkina Faso, estimates show that children constitute between 30 percent and 50 percent of the entire ASM gold mining workforce (International Labor Organization, 2020).
Diamonds: ASM accounts for the supply of 20 percent of diamonds. In Sierra Leone and Angola, children work in diamond mining under abusive circumstances.
Main factors contributing to child labor in mining
Contributing factors to child labor in the mining sector include, but are not limited to, the following:
Poverty and economic disparity – Prevalent poverty is the main factor causing child labor in mining (ILO, 2020). Families facing severe poverty frequently depend on the earnings of their children to satisfy essential needs, thus continuing the cycle of exploitation.
Insufficient access to education – Numerous mining communities do not have quality education, compelling children to leave school to work (ILO, 2019). The expensive nature of education, combined with the lack of free or low-cost choices, presents families with limited options.
Fragile legal structures – Insufficient enforcement of child labor regulations enables the practice to continue. In various African nations, the rules regarding ASM are either inadequate or poorly enforced, making children susceptible to exploitation (International Institute for Environment and Development, 2018).
Strong need for minerals – Worldwide demand for essential minerals like cobalt (utilized in electric vehicle batteries) and gold (employed in electronics and jewelry) drives unethical activities within the mining industry.
Businesses in the supply chain frequently emphasize profit rather than ethical sourcing, leading to a high demand for inexpensive labor, including that of minors.
Casual character of ASM – Artisanal and small-scale mining activities frequently function outside established regulatory systems, which complicates the monitoring of labor practices and the enforcement of standards.
Effects of child labor in mining
Risks to health and safety – Children employed in mines encounter dangerous environments, such as contact with toxic substances, operating heavy equipment, and the risk of tunnel collapses. These circumstances result in long-term disease, harm, and in certain instances, mortality.
Loss of educational opportunities – Child labor robs children of their educational rights, constraining their future opportunities and sustaining the cycle of poverty. Insufficient education also obstructs community progress, as fewer people gain the abilities required to enhance living standards.
Emotional distress – Children exposed to exploitative work frequently suffer from psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, and diminished self-esteem (WHO, 2024).
Damage to reputation – The existence of child labor in supply chains puts companies at risk of damaging their reputation, as consumers are progressively seeking ethically sourced goods.
Strategies for tackling child labor in mining
Reinforcing legal safeguards – Governments must implement and uphold stringent child labor regulations, guaranteeing that mining activities adhere to national and international criteria. Regulatory bodies must also be stringent in examining mines, imposing penalties on violators, and safeguarding children.
Funding for learning – Ensuring free or low-cost education is essential for eradicating child labor. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities ought to work together to establish schools, offer scholarships, and assist educational programs in mining areas.
Advancing alternative sources of income – Diversifying the economy in mining areas can lessen dependence on child labor. Initiatives offering vocational education, small loans, and alternative earning options for families can aid in disrupting the poverty cycle.
Ethical sourcing programs – Businesses must accept accountability for ensuring that their supply chains are devoid of child labor. Certifications like Fairtrade and the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) assist consumers in recognizing ethically sourced items (RMRDC, 2024).
Improving supply chain clarity – Blockchain technology and various traceability tools can enhance transparency in mining supply chains, ensuring responsible sourcing of minerals. For instance, remote sensing technologies can detect illegal mining activities, helping authorities intervene.
