Africa
Nigeria gold rush is killing children
More than 400 have perished in past two years, as they are being poisoned by lead, which is used in mining process.
Last Modified: 20 Jul 2012 06:31

Hundreds of children in northern Nigeria’s Zamfara state have died because of gold mining.

More than 400 have perished in the past two years, and thousands of young children are at risk of disability as they are being poisoned by lead, which is used in the mining process.

Non-compliance of safe mining options and lack of simple low-tech machinery have not helped the cause.

International medical humanitarian group, Doctors Without Borders, believes it is “the worst outbreak in modern history".

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Adow reports from Abare in Zamfara state.

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Al Jazeera
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