In Nasarawa, Nigeria, many children, including six-year-old Juliet Samaniya, work in illegal lithium mines for meagre wages. Despite laws against child labour, enforcement is lax, and poverty drives families to engage in mining. The situation represents a growing global concern over lithium demand and protective measures for child miners.
In Nasarawa, Nigeria, six-year-old Juliet Samaniya works in unsafe illegal lithium mines instead of attending school, earning less than a dollar a day. This reflects a broader issue where over one million children work in mines globally, with Nigeria rampant in child labour and unregulated mining. The rise in lithium demand has led to exploitation, primarily in small operations linked to Chinese companies, who often ignore the conditions of labour.
Mining in Nasarawa has developed rapidly over the past decade, with miners operating unlicensed pits. Tools are rudimentary and safety measures lack, exposing workers, including children, to significant hazards. Though Nigeria prohibits child labour, enforcement is weak, exacerbated by corruption. Local miners engage directly with Chinese companies to sell lithium ore with little oversight.
Sule Dantini, a local schoolmaster, noted a drastic drop in school attendance due to mining, which often comes with hidden fees that impoverished families can’t afford. Despite laws aimed at curbing child labour, rampant illegal mining persists, destabilising communities and degrading environments. Activists demand accountability from companies to protect workers’ rights and insist upon reforms.
The surge in lithium’s global demand due to its importance in clean energy transitions is creating a mining boom in Nigeria, particularly in Nasarawa state. This region, rich in minerals, sees an alarming number of children exploited in illegal and hazardous mining conditions. The lack of regulatory enforcement combined with poverty leads to a cycle of child labour, while the government struggles to implement reforms effectively.
The situation in Nigeria highlights the dire consequences of unregulated mining, where children are forced into hazardous work in the face of rising global demand for lithium. While there are efforts to combat child labour and illegal mining, much remains to be done to ensure the safety and future of these children, as well as to hold responsible parties accountable.
Original Source: www.manufacturing.net