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PNDC Law 153 is passed
It was a type of law made to start the authority of mining in West Africa, but it failed because a lot illegal gold mining operations came up as a result much like selling illegaly during the Prohibition Era in the US. -
Rwanda and Uganda invade
Several surrounding African nations agreed to provide support against Rwanda and Uganda. Rebel groups against Kabila also were created. Rwanda, Uganda, and rebel groups all set up mining techniques in the Congo to keep their money and their campaign. -
Rwanda and Uganda withdraw from the DRC
In 2003, Rwandan and Ugandan troops pulled out of the Dynamic Range Compression, ending the Second Congo War.;lo However, many rebel groups remained active in the DRC and without the support of Rwanda and Uganda, the rebels were forced to begin a heavy dependence on their mining operations -
GCM reports on illegal miners
It was estimated by the Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM) that there is anywehere in bertween 300,000 and 500,000 illegal miners in Ghana alone (Kippenburg). -
Al-Jazeera covers the mining abuses in the DRC
This is just to confirm that this is still a current issue. -
Mining abuse today
Today there are an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 child workers in mines in Mali (Heilprin). The children work with mercury which causes brain damage (Kippenburg). The coltan mining in the Congo continues a conflict which has cause 5.4 million deaths so far (Congo's Gold). Prices are around $500 a pound and some schools have seen a 30% drop in attendance because kids go to work for more money (Munn).
