mohandasgandhi: The high price of gold is child slave labor The surge in demand for physical gold has not only polished the fortunes of large mining companies, but has also driven a modern-day gold rush: The United Nations estimates there are between 15 million and 20 million gold miners in more than 70 countries worldwide. What consumers need to be aware of is where the gold and gold jewelry they purchase originates from. For the most part, gold comes from large-scale industrial mining operations which require skilled labor. Large mining operations in developing country can spur economic growth for the region. But some artisanal and small-scale mining operations, known as ASMs, operate in poorer regions and places where child exploitation and human trafficking is common. Because these ASMs do not have the oversight and regulations that the industrial miners do, child labor and slavery make up a large part of their work force, experts say. The International Labor Organization, the labor agency of the United Nations, estimates that tens of thousands of children work in gold mining and considers any child labor in mining as a “worst form” of labor because of the dangerous conditions. This sector of mining represents up to 20% of the gold mined each year, according to Solidaridad Network, a non-profit organization working to help end the practices of enslaved labor and child labor. The number of artisanal and small mining operations has risen dramatically since 2007, said Jennifer Horning, a coordinator for the Solidaridad Network. Human Rights Watch estimates more than 20,000 children work in gold mining in Mali. The ILO estimates as many as 50,000 in Peru. In one township alone in the Chocó region of Colombia, 776 child slaves were found working in ASM gold mines. Overall the ILO estimates an increase of child labor by 35% between 2007 and 2009. “If children are trafficked, they can suffer terrible physical and mental abuse and are literally enslaved,” Horning said. “Boys frequently work under harsh conditions in the mines and girls are forced into prostitution or domestic service.” Many of the children are forced into the mines after having been promised jobs in a tourism-related industry. Or, due to economic need, many work willingly alongside their parents despite the dangerous conditions. (Continue reading….) This is for Sound Money aka Ron Paul, who wants to return to the gold standard.

mohandasgandhi:

The high price of gold is child slave labor

The surge in demand for physical gold has not only polished the fortunes of large mining companies, but has also driven a modern-day gold rush: The United Nations estimates there are between 15 million and 20 million gold miners in more than 70 countries worldwide.

What consumers need to be aware of is where the gold and gold jewelry they purchase originates from. For the most part, gold comes from large-scale industrial mining operations which require skilled labor. Large mining operations in developing country can spur economic growth for the region.

But some artisanal and small-scale mining operations, known as ASMs, operate in poorer regions and places where child exploitation and human trafficking is common.

Because these ASMs do not have the oversight and regulations that the industrial miners do, child labor and slavery make up a large part of their work force, experts say. The International Labor Organization, the labor agency of the United Nations, estimates that tens of thousands of children work in gold mining and considers any child labor in mining as a “worst form” of labor because of the dangerous conditions.

This sector of mining represents up to 20% of the gold mined each year, according to Solidaridad Network, a non-profit organization working to help end the practices of enslaved labor and child labor.

The number of artisanal and small mining operations has risen dramatically since 2007, said Jennifer Horning, a coordinator for the Solidaridad Network.

Human Rights Watch estimates more than 20,000 children work in gold mining in Mali. The ILO estimates as many as 50,000 in Peru. In one township alone in the Chocó region of Colombia, 776 child slaves were found working in ASM gold mines. Overall the ILO estimates an increase of child labor by 35% between 2007 and 2009.

“If children are trafficked, they can suffer terrible physical and mental abuse and are literally enslaved,” Horning said. “Boys frequently work under harsh conditions in the mines and girls are forced into prostitution or domestic service.”

Many of the children are forced into the mines after having been promised jobs in a tourism-related industry. Or, due to economic need, many work willingly alongside their parents despite the dangerous conditions.

(Continue reading….)

This is for Sound Money aka Ron Paul, who wants to return to the gold standard.