(Thomson Reuters) — In the depths of India’s illegal mica mines, where children as young as five work alongside adults, lurks a dark secret — the cover-up of child deaths with seven killed since June, a Thomson Reuters Foundation investigation has revealed.
Investigations over three months in four major mica producing states found child labour rife, with small hands ideal to pick and sort the valued mineral.
But interviews with workers and local communities discovered children were not only risking their health in “ghost” mines off official radars, but they were dying in the unregulated, crumbling mines.
Indian law forbids children below 18 working in mines and other hazardous industries but families in extreme poverty rely on children to boost household income.
India is one of the world’s largest producers of mica, used n the car and building sectors, electronics and make-up.
