Responsible mica mining in India

This project aims to tackle the worst forms of child labour in mica mines in India and establish a responsible mica supply chain. The partnership between Terre des Hommes, Philips, and Kuncai combined our expertise and network at different levels. We engaged with miners and local communities to empower children, raise awareness, and improve living and working conditions. By working under the Responsible Mica Initiative and the Responsible Minerals Initiative, we are able to advocate for a better legal framework, engage other supply chain stakeholders, and develop solutions for enhancing mica supply chain transparency and traceability.

This project focuses on the pathways of change of the private sector, children, families and communities, within a specific geographic area. Interventions on the ground include empowerment and awareness raising sessions, forming Self Help Groups, providing opportunities of alternative livelihood, establishing revolving fund, and facilitating access to Government Schemes.

Intervention among private sector stakeholders take place mainly under the Responsible Mica Initiative and the Responsible Minerals Initiative to advocate for changes in the local legal/policy system, establishing the Mica CSOs Platform, map mica supply chain and develop due diligence tools and standards. This project contributes to the development of a Responsible Mica Framework by the Responsible Mica Initiative and feed into the concept of responsible mica mining. It facilitates the forming and exercise of a collective leverage on setting up a transparent and sustainable mica supply chain framework.