Investigation into Mica Mining

Overview

• Mica: A mineral found in everyday items like planes, cars, and cell phones.
• Investigation: Conducted by NBC News to reveal the human cost of mica mining, particularly focusing on child labor in Madagascar.

Key Findings

• Mica in Madagascar:
  • Madagascar is the world's largest mica exporter.
  • The investigation highlighted the exploitation of children in mica mining.
• Child Labor:
  • Estimated 265,000 children work in Madagascar, with over 10,000 in mica mines.
  • Children work in extreme conditions for minimal pay (e.g., $240 for six tons of mica split among several families).

Conditions in Mica Mines

• Work Environment:
  • Narrow, airless pits dug deep into the earth.
  • High temperatures (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Family Involvement:
  • Families work together, often starting early in the morning and working until late in the evening.
  • Families earn less than $3 per week.

Economic Aspects

• Global Demand:
  • Mica is critical for various industries including aerospace, electronics, and automobiles.
  • Each car contains at least 15,000 parts that may include mica.
• Distribution:
  • Over 90% of Madagascar's mica ends up in China.
  • Major companies, including Panasonic and Electrolok, use products containing mica.

Corporate Responsibility

• Supplier Accountability:
  • Companies need to trace the source of materials responsibly to ensure no child labor is involved.
  • Companies expressed concern after being shown the conditions of child miners but highlighted challenges in tracing supply chains.

Humanitarian Response

• Organizations like Terre des Hommes and UNICEF are stepping in to help:
  • Creating safe daycare facilities for children at mines.
  • Providing educational materials to support children's rights.

Conclusion

• Call to Action:
  • Awareness is crucial; consumers should be informed about the origins of mica in their products.
  • Advocacy for companies to take responsibility for their supply chains is necessary to improve conditions for child miners.