The Associated Press reports that escalating lithium demand for batteries has intensified child labour exploitation in Nigeria’s mining sector. In Nasarawa state, children as young as five engage in illegal mining for meagre financial gains to support their families. The dangerous practices observed include using primitive tools and working under life-threatening conditions in unregulated mines. Despite the dire circumstances, some local merchants exploit orphans and impoverished children, continually sidelined by government oversight and corporate responsibility. Without adequate educational opportunities, these children are locked in a cycle of poverty, further exacerbated by corruption that allows illicit mining practices to thrive.

The context of child labour in Nigeria’s lithium mines is entwined with the global surge in demand for lithium, particularly in the context of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage solutions. This mining boom is taking place in an environment marked by poverty, limited education, and inadequate regulatory frameworks, especially in rural areas like Nasarawa. These conditions contribute significantly to child labour, compelling children to work in hazardous environments instead of attending school.

The AP report highlights a troubling intersection of growing lithium market demands and the exploitation of children in Nigeria. It reveals a systemic failure to protect vulnerable populations while emphasising the urgent need for effective government regulation and corporate accountability to mitigate child labour in the mining sector.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com

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