As global demand for lithium surges to power electric vehicles and renewable technologies, Nigeria’s burgeoning lithium mining sector reveals a grim reality: child labour is rampant in many mining operations. Reports indicate that children as young as 10 are working in hazardous conditions to extract the “white gold” essential for lithium-ion batteries. These children often forgo education and are exposed to toxic substances, enduring long hours for meager wages. This practice undermines international labour standards and raises ethical concerns about the human cost of the transition to green energy.
The mining regions in Nigeria, particularly in Nasarawa State, are witnessing a boom in artisanal mining, but government oversight remains weak. Experts estimate that over 20% of miners in the region are children, driven into labour by poverty and lack of opportunities. Environmental degradation from unregulated mining compounds the issue, threatening local communities’ health and ecosystems. This exposes the paradox of green energy: while it aims to mitigate climate change, its extraction processes often perpetuate social and environmental injustices in developing countries. More