Civil Society Demands Transparency on Child Labor Statistics in DRC Mining 

During the 19th edition of DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, Grant Leaity, UNICEF’s representative in the DRC, presented alarming statistics suggesting that approximately 361,000 children are engaged in copper and cobalt mining in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces.

This revelation has stirred Congolese civil society, prompting calls for further verification and transparency regarding these figures. 

Civil society groups expressed reservations about the reported number of child laborers, emphasizing the need for additional information and rigorous verification.

“We urge for transparency and the disclosure of methodologies used in arriving at these figures. It is crucial to ensure accuracy and reliability in reporting such sensitive data,” stated a spokesperson for Congolese civil society.

The call for objective verification aims to clarify discrepancies and ensure that interventions to address child labor in mining are based on accurate data. 

Civil society organizations stress that reliable statistics are essential for effectively protecting children’s rights and implementing targeted interventions in the mining sector.

Souce: Copperbeltkatangamining