Child slavery in the artisanal mining and quarrying sector 2011, para. 62
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To mine underwater, children dive into open muddy wells, which are normally 2 metres wide and 7 metres deep. Wearing crude eye masks which inhibit their vision and with the aid of oxygen from a compressor, the children extract soil in the hope that it contains gold. The children work for 3-5 hours underwater in a squatting position anchoring themselves with their elbows or knees. They face the risk of asphyxiation and suffocation underwater. This type of mining has been reported in places like Philippines (see E/C.12/MDG/CO/2).
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Non-negotiated soft law
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Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences