A Poisonous Mix - Human Rights Watch

Mpékadiassa and Worognan mines every month, although Human Rights Watch has not
been able to verify this. 158
Several cases of mine collapses illustrate the potential danger for child laborers, even
though no children were affected in these incidents. In April 2010, an adult died at a
Kéniéba mine when his head was smashed during a shaft collapse, and two others died
from other shaft collapses in the area during the same year. 159 At least three workers were
killed in a shaft collapse in Worognan mine in late 2010 or early 2011, spreading fear
among many workers. While the mayor put the number of victims at three and tried to
downplay the incident, other workers at the mine said that the number of victims could
have been higher. 160 A Ministry of Labor official also witnessed a shaft collapse during a
visit to a mine in Kéniéba region. 161
Even children who do not participate in the gold mining visit the mines and are exposed to
risks. This includes children who are taken by their parents to the mine due to lack of
childcare. Older siblings faced the difficult task of protecting younger siblings from falling
into shafts and other accidents. 162 A doctor in Kéniéba treated two children who fell into a
shaft in a mine near Kéniéba. The children were around five and six years old. 163 In Baroya,
a boy of about three years fell into a shaft and injured his arm. 164
Working Hours and Pay: Between Family Support and Exploitation
Working Hours
The children we interviewed said work days often lasted for as long as 11 hours, from 7 or 8
a.m. to about 6 p.m. 165 An ILO study on child labor in artisanal mining in Mali found that
children averaged nine hours of work a day. 166 The work day is nearly continuous. For example,
Haroun C., 12, who has never attended school, told Human Rights Watch that he works at the
158 Human Rights Watch interview with Dr. Keita Ntji, CSREF Kolondiéba, at group interview with préfet and six officials,
Kolondiéba, April 8, 2011.
159 Human Rights Watch interview with private doctor, Kéniéba, April 4, 2011.
160 Human Rights Watch interview with mayor, Worognan, April 8, 2011; Human Rights Watch interview with Ibrahim K., age
15, Worognan, April 9, 2011. Human Rights Watch interview with Binta M., age 15, April 9, 2011.
161 Human Rights Watch interview with Boucary Togo, director of the National Unit to Combat Child Labor, Bamako, March 29, 2011.
162 Human Rights Watch interview with private doctor, Kéniéba, April 4, 2011.
163 Human Rights Watch interview with Dr. Coulibaly, CSREF, Kéniéba, April 2, 2011.
164 Human Rights Watch interview with Lansana K., 13, Baroya, April 3, 2011.
165 Human Rights Watch interview with Issa S., age 12, Tabakoto, April 2, 2011; Human Rights Watch interview with Salif E.,
age 15, Worognan, April 9, 2011.
166 ILO, “Etude transfrontalière sur le travail des enfants dans l’orpaillage,” p. 39.
41 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | DECEMBER 2011