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.

Nigeria is intensifying its efforts to regulate illegal mining operations as part of a campaign to manage its mineral resources better. The global demand for minerals like lithium and tin, essential for the clean energy transition, has led to an upsurge in illicit mining activities within the country, exacerbated by corruption and minimal government oversight in remote areas. Recent actions include a raid in Kishi, Oyo State, where security forces arrested 32 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, involved in illegal lithium trade. Local community leaders report growing concerns about insecurity linked to illicit mining. President Bola Tinubu has linked illegal mining to escalating conflicts in northern Nigeria, prompting calls for international assistance. China plays a significant role in Nigeria’s mining landscape, often employing vulnerable populations affected by conflict and climate change. To mitigate the losses from illegal mining, estimated at $9 billion annually, Nigeria has established a corps of mining marshals tasked with tackling unlawful activities. Recent legal actions against illegal miners highlight the government’s commitment to combatting this issue.

Nigeria is emerging as a significant source of key minerals like lithium, crucial for global renewables, amid diminishing supplies from leading producers. Illegal mining has flourished due to inadequate regulatory frameworks and widespread corruption, endangering national security by funding militia groups. The country’s geography complicates enforcement, as many mineral deposits are in remote, inaccessible areas. The influx of Chinese miners has raised concerns over exploitative practices, environmental degradation, and links to local conflicts, particularly in Nigeria’s north where conflict-induced displacement has created a cheap workforce for mining operations.

Nigeria’s crackdown on illegal mining reflects its urgent need to regulate an industry marked by corruption and violence. The government’s establishment of mining marshals and recent arrests signal a drive to restore order and revenue in the extractive sector. The involvement of foreign nationals underscores the complexity of this issue, intertwining economic, social, and environmental factors.

Original Source: www.voaafrica.com

The post Nigeria Strengthens Crackdown on Illegal Mining Activities first appeared on Nigerian Mining News.