In Nasarawa, Nigeria, the underground lithium mining boom is casting a shadow over child welfare. Juliet Samaniya, just six years old, toils in the sun for mere cents, forgoing education to support her impoverished family in an unlicensed mining site. The International Labour Organization estimates over a million youths work in mines globally, with Africa experiencing particularly high levels of child labour due to poverty and inadequate education. Children in these mines face hazardous conditions, exposing them to respiratory risks and physical threats, often working alongside adult miners in small-scale operations that feed the growing lithium market.

Such mining operations are unlicensed and often involve questionable practices, typical of Nigeria’s struggling regulatory framework. Corruption prevents effective enforcement of laws against child labour, despite the government’s intent to reform. The demand for lithium, fuelled by the global shift to clean energy, has drawn illegal mining activities that exploit vulnerable populations, particularly children, enriching unscrupulous buyers, some linked to larger Chinese companies, who do not question the origins of the minerals.

As miners like Abdul Ibrahim profit from these illicit operations, many children work under grueling conditions to survive, with little hope for education or a future outside the mines. Local officials acknowledge a decline in school attendance, attributing it to mining activities, which reveal a harsh reality for numerous families. Activists stress the need for stronger protective measures for children and responsible practices among corporations involved in the lithium supply chain.

The plight of children in Nasarawa’s mines illustrates the urgent necessity for systemic change, urging government intervention and greater corporate accountability to safeguard their future.

Lithium is crucial for batteries in clean energy technologies, and Nigeria is capitalising on this global demand. However, the surge in mining activities has led to numerous illegal operations where child labour is rampant. Many families resort to such work due to poverty, forcing children like Juliet to abandon their education. The mining practices are risky, and regulations are poorly enforced, leading to an exploitative cycle affecting the most vulnerable members of society. The situation is compounded by corruption and a lack of governmental oversight, which allows these practices to flourish unchecked.

The illegal lithium mining in Nigeria exposes a critical human rights issue, where children are forced to work under perilous conditions instead of receiving an education. Despite laws against child labour, enforcement remains weak, with rampant corruption hindering reform efforts. As the global demand for lithium rises, it is essential for Nigerian authorities and international corporations to take responsibility for ethical mining practices and protect the rights of children. Without decisive action, the cycle of exploitation is unlikely to end, depriving future generations of hope and opportunities for a better life.

Original Source: www.newsday.com

The post Children in Nigeria’s Illegal Lithium Mines: A Harsh Reality first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.

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

The post Child Labour in Nigeria’s Illegal Lithium Mines: A Dire Reality first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.

In Nasarawa, Nigeria, 6-year-old Juliet Samaniya, alongside many other children, is forced to work in illegal lithium mines instead of attending school. The global rise in demand for lithium, essential for batteries in clean energy initiatives, has worsened child labour conditions. Children, often paid poorly, undertake dangerous tasks in hazardous environments to help their families survive. The Nigerian government has laws against child labour, but enforcement remains weak, leading to widespread exploitation, particularly in unlicensed mines that escape scrutiny. Many children are trapped in this cycle of poverty due to a lack of proper education and economic opportunities, while illegal mining benefitting Chinese companies continues unchecked. Activists call for urgent reforms to address human rights abuses and protect vulnerable children from exploitation in mining operations.

Nigeria is experiencing a lithium boom due to its rich mineral resources, yet much of this activity is driven by illegal mining, predominantly involving child labour. Weak enforcement of existing laws prohibiting child labour and a maximum of poverty persist, particularly in rural communities. As global lithium demand increases, these illegal operations exploit vulnerable populations, primarily children, who are often forced to work instead of receiving an education. This situation poses significant ramifications for child welfare and the broader societal implications of such systemic exploitation.

The situation in Nasarawa highlights the urgent need for effective enforcement of child labour laws in Nigeria, as a growing demand for lithium compounds the challenges faced by children. Families are caught in poverty traps that force them to rely on their children’s labour, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation. Without meaningful reform and stronger regulation of mining practices, the well-being of many children remains at risk, signalling a pressing need for international attention and accountability in the lithium supply chain.

Original Source: www.seattletimes.com

The post Child Labour in Nigeria’s Illegal Lithium Mines: A Growing Concern first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.

In Nasarawa, Nigeria, six-year-old Juliet Samaniya works in an illegal lithium mine, earning less than a dollar a day. Instead of attending school, she spends her days labouring under harsh conditions, supporting her impoverished family. The International Labour Organization estimates that over one million children work in mines globally, a significant issue in Africa where poverty and weak regulations are rampant. Growing lithium demand in Nigeria has led to a surge in illegal mining, largely unregulated and often involving dangerous practices, with children being exploited for cheap labour.

The mining methods are primitive and hazardous, often involving long hours in unsafe conditions. Many miners, including children, face risks of cave-ins, respiratory issues, and severe injury. Illegal mining flourishes in Nigeria as networks of buyers operate with minimal government oversight. A local miner, Aliyu Ibrahim, acknowledged child labour in his operations, suggesting that despite the risks, it provides financial sustenance to vulnerable families.

Chinese companies dominate Nigeria’s extractive industries, but laws against child labour and illegal mining remain poorly enforced. Recent government initiatives aim to combat these practices and protect human rights, but activists argue that much work remains to be done to ensure the safety and education of the nation’s children. Juliet’s mother, Abigail, epitomises the struggle of many families, expressing hope for a better future for her daughter outside the mines.

The article addresses the pervasive issue of child labour in illegal lithium mines in Nasarawa, Nigeria. With the rise in demand for lithium—a key component for batteries—numerous unlicensed mining operations have emerged, predominantly employing children under hazardous conditions. Factors contributing to this situation include rampant poverty, inadequate access to education, and weak enforcement of existing labour laws. The article illustrates the broader implications of global demand for lithium, drawing attention to human rights violations in Nigeria’s mining sector.

The ongoing exploitation of child labour in Nigeria’s lithium mines highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of laws protecting children and reforms to ensure education accessibility. The interplay between economic need and human rights raises significant ethical concerns regarding the international supply chain, particularly for companies involved in the mining sector. Advocacy for responsible mining practices is imperative to safeguard vulnerable populations, especially children like Juliet Samaniya, who deserve the opportunity for a better future.

Original Source: www.wvnews.com

The post Exploitation of Child Labour in Nigeria’s Illegal Lithium Mines first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.

In Nigeria’s Pasali community, 6-year-old Juliet Samaniya toils in illegal lithium mines, earning less than a dollar a day, neglecting her education to support her family amidst a thriving yet dangerous mining boom. Child labour in these operations is rampant, as inadequate law enforcement and poverty prevail. Nigeria’s lithium demand fuels operations that often exploit children in hazardous conditions, with many unable to afford additional school fees despite the government’s claim of free basic education.

Amidst increasing lithium demand, workers—many children—use rudimentary tools for mining, with older youths recalling deadly mine accidents. The educational landscape has deteriorated; schoolmaster Sule Dantini notes significant decreases in attendance due to mining responsibilities. Corruption and lax regulations allow illegal mining networks to flourish, with transactions often taking place without scrutiny of the conditions under which the ore is sourced.

Activists call for reforms, urging both the government and corporations to prioritise human rights over profit amid soaring global lithium needs. The Nigerian government professes to be instituting improvements, yet significant challenges remain. Juliet’s mother, Abigail Samaniya, holds on to the hope that her daughter can escape mining’s grasp for a better future.

Illegal lithium mining in Nigeria has become a serious issue, particularly in rural areas like Pasali. As the global demand for lithium surges for clean energy technologies, the country is facing a dilemma of poverty, education deprivation, and child exploitation. Despite legal frameworks against child labour, enforcement is weak, and practical access to education remains obstructed by hidden fees and economic hardships. The presence of informal mining networks compounds these issues, further endangering vulnerable children in remote communities.

The situation in Nigeria highlights the pressing need for stricter regulation and enforcement against child labour in mining. While the government aims to reform the sector, the reality on the ground remains grim for children like Juliet. Activists insist that as long as economic incentives overshadow human rights, the plight of these young miners will continue unabated. Without meaningful changes, the cycle of poverty and exploitation is likely to persist, impacting future generations.

Original Source: unb.com.bd

The post Children’s Harrowing Reality in Nigeria’s Illegal Lithium Mines first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.

In Nigeria’s burgeoning lithium mining sector, illegal operations proliferate, relying heavily on child labour. Youngsters like six-year-old Juliet Samaniya toil under harsh conditions, earning under a dollar a day to support their families. Despite laws against child labour and a mandate for basic education, enforcement remains weak, allowing poverty to drive children into hazardous mines. This burgeoning industry, fuelled by global demand for lithium in batteries, is primarily benefitting unregulated Chinese companies while exploiting Nigeria’s vulnerable populations. Activists call for urgent reforms and better enforcement to safeguard human rights, particularly for children forced into labour.

Nigeria is experiencing a surge in lithium mining, driven by the global demand for this mineral used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage. However, many of these mines are illegal, and child labour is rampant, particularly in regions like Nasarawa. The combination of extreme poverty, lack of access to education, and weak regulation has led to a situation where children are working in dangerous conditions. Despite existing laws prohibiting such practices, enforcement is lacking, allowing exploitative practices to thrive, particularly amongst mining activities that cater to international markets, especially Chinese companies, who often evade accountability.

The rise of illegal lithium mines in Nigeria has resulted in significant child labour issues, with young children working under perilous conditions for minimal pay. Though Nigerian laws are in place to protect children and promote education, insufficient enforcement means these laws are largely ineffective. Activists are pressing for reforms to preserve children’s rights in mining and to ensure that those in the supply chain adopt ethical practices.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk

The post Child Labour in Nigeria’s Illegal Lithium Mines: A Growing Crisis first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.