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.