LUBUMBASHI, Democratic Republic of Congo — March 20, 2026 — In the dusty outskirts of Lubumbashi, where informal cobalt and copper mines stretch for miles, children as young as eight descend into narrow pits each morning. Many say they have little choice. Their families rely on the small income they can earn hauling ore, washing minerals, or sorting stones by hand.
“It helps us survive,” said a 13‑year‑old boy who works in an artisanal mine outside the city. He explained that his daily earnings — often the equivalent of a few dollars — help his mother buy food for their household. Local community workers say his story is common across the region.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that economic hardship, limited access to schooling, and the absence of stable employment push thousands of children into the mining sector. According to UNICEF and local advocacy groups, the combination of chronic poverty and high global demand for cobalt — a key component in batteries used in phones, laptops, and electric vehicles — has intensified pressure on families to send children to work.
Artisanal mining, known locally as creuse, is technically legal for adults but remains largely unregulated. Children often work without protective equipment, exposing them to collapsing tunnels, toxic dust, and long-term health risks. Medical volunteers in Haut-Katanga Province report frequent cases of respiratory problems and injuries among young miners.
Government officials acknowledge the scale of the problem but say enforcement is difficult. “We do not want children in the mines, but poverty is a powerful force,” said a provincial labor inspector, noting that many families live on less than two dollars a day. He added that efforts to expand schooling and provide alternative livelihoods have been slow due to limited funding.
International companies sourcing minerals from the region have faced growing scrutiny. Several firms have pledged to strengthen supply‑chain monitoring and support community programs, though watchdog groups argue that progress remains uneven. A recent report by Amnesty International stated that while some companies have improved oversight, informal mining sites continue to operate with minimal safeguards.
Local NGOs say long-term solutions must address the root causes: unemployment, lack of infrastructure, and the high cost of education. “Children should be in school, not underground,” said Marie Kalala, a coordinator for a child‑protection charity in Lubumbashi. “But when a family is hungry, survival comes first.”
As the sun sets over the mining fields, children emerge from the pits covered in dust, carrying sacks of ore on their backs. Many will return the next day. For them, the mines are not a choice but a necessity — a reflection of the economic pressures shaping daily life in one of the world’s most mineral‑rich yet impoverished regions.