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We might be hiding behind masks for now, but the next time you apply your favourite lipstick or eyeshadow, take a closer look at the ingredients. Most shimmery cosmetics contain mica - a mined mineral that is often linked to child labour and extreme working conditions.
Aside from beauty products, mica is used to add shimmer or sparkle to car paints, household appliances and construction materials.
India is the world’s leading producer of mica and over 50% of global supply comes from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh states. Unfortunately, illegal mines employing children as young as five account for a significant portion of mica.
A 2016 report by Terre des Hommes estimated that 22,000 children were involved in mining in “the mica belt” of India. It is suspected that child labour is employed at mines in India, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Madagascar, Brazil and Peru.
While mining for mica, child labourers breathe in a toxic mixture of dust and explosive chemicals and face a high risk of cave-ins. They often suffer respiratory problems such as mica pneumoconiosis and prolonged inhalation of mica dust may cause permanent lung damage.
Poverty and the profit from cheap labour are two key drivers in child exploitation. If we truly want to end human rights violations, upstream and downstream stakeholders in mica supply chains must conduct due diligence and embrace transparenca blockchain platform that empowers stakeholders to responsibly source sensitive materials. It gives companies a trusted, immutable record of transactions, documents, and metrics to support responsible supply chain management and due diligence.
“Children comprise as much as 62% of the overall mining workforce, with miners descending deep into the ground to cut the mica by hand.”
— Terres des Hommes
Image credits: Jan-Joseph Stok/Terre des Hommes via The Guardian, Refinery29 and Jack Pearce via Refinery29.
