Editor’s Note
This article examines the widespread use of child labor in informal mica mines, focusing on the so-called ‘Red Zone’ in Madagascar. It highlights a critical human rights issue within global supply chains.
An army of children toils in African mica mines.
The article focuses on the ‘Zone Rouge’ (Red Zone), a term used to describe areas, particularly in Madagascar, where informal and often illegal mining operations exploit child labor. While the search query mentions ‘sapphire mining update’, the core of this report is on the systemic use of children in mica extraction, a mineral used in cosmetics and electronics, highlighting a critical human rights and supply chain issue.
Thousands of children, some as young as five, work in dangerous conditions in these mines. They are exposed to collapsing tunnels, dust, and long hours of hard labor for minimal pay. The practice is widespread in regions of Madagascar and other African countries rich in mineral resources.
Poverty is the primary driver, forcing families to send their children to work. The informal nature of these mining sectors makes regulation and enforcement of child labor laws nearly impossible. Global demand for mica and other minerals perpetuates this cycle.
Complex and opaque supply chains allow companies to source mica without ensuring it is free from child labor. Efforts by some cosmetic and electronics brands to audit their supply chains have had limited impact on the ground.
Human rights organizations and some industry initiatives are calling for greater transparency, traceability, and direct investment in mining communities to provide alternatives to child labor. Legislative pressure in consumer countries is also seen as a potential lever for change.