Bolivia children working in mines

This morning I was doing some research on some companies’ stock that deal in mining and I thought of my mining experience in Bolivia.

I did a tour of some mines in Bolivia, which I don’t recommend for the claustrophobic. My guide first took me to buy bottles of sugary juice and coca leaves to gift to the miners. It was not a touristy thing where one pays an entrance fee. These were real mines with real people working in them. It was dangerous.  Some of the areas we went through would not be safe enough by law to operate in any developed country, let alone take a tourist through.

The workers were friendly and appreciated the drinks and coca leaves. The coca leaves alleviate their pain and discomfort and the drinks quench their constant thirst. I met workers as young as 12 years old working in the mines.  “It is dangerous work,” they told me, “and all of us have friends who died.”

One of the highlights: My guide took me to a shop that sold everything a miner needs (including 98% proof alcohol, for consumption). I bought a stick of dynamite and fuse, for only $1.50. My guide showed me to an empty field where we lit the dynamite. Two minutes later there was a big ‘BOOM,’ a nice treat for the pyromaniac inside of me.

The working conditions are extremely unhealthy and hazardous. Having met the boys working in the mines of Bolivia and experienced crawling through passageways that can give in at any moment, I came to a deeper appreciation of how lucky we are for the life we live and how much more I should give thanks to G-d.