Working conditions and health and safety risks affecting children in small-scale mining differ widely according to whether work is underground or on the surface, the type of mineral being mined, and the type of processing that is carried out and children's involvement in it. Clearly those at greatest risk should be the primary focus of programmes to stop their participation and prevent it recurring. Most children work to support their family or to earn money for themselves. At least the families stay together. The more remote and more informal a small-scale mining activity, the more likely children are to be involved.
Remoteness means that child care or schooling no longer offer an alternative to children working.
It also removes the likelihood of there being other, less dangerous employment for them and the possibility of regular inspection to ensure that labour codes are being adhered to. The more informal the operation, the less the regard for regulations that limit the involvement of children in paid or unpaid work. He receives no direct pay, rather he contributes to the expanded earnings of his family. If he does not go to school he is more likely to work independently of his family, doing whatever he is told to do with little or no concession to his age. If he is involved in the processing of gold-bearing ore, he is likely to show signs of mercury poisoning.