Use of child labour in gold mining in Uganda
A large number of children work in Uganda’s artisanal gold mines. Of all the artisanal gold miners in Uganda, between 20 to 30 per cent are children. Some children (periodically) attend primary school whilst still working in the mines to pay for their education, clothes and books. Many other children work in the mines throughout the year and some even live on the mining sites. Gold mining is arduous work even for adults, but for children the conditions are even more unsafe, unhealthy and the exposure to hazardous and toxic chemicals, including mercury, can lead to life-long health problems.
Gold mining is arduous work even for adults, but for children the conditions are even more unsafe, unhealthy and the exposure to hazardous and toxic chemicals, including mercury, can lead to life-long health problems.
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