Behind the Glitter: Mica and Child Mining in India

Behind the Glitter: Mica and Child Mining in India

Children in India are being exploited in the dangerous search for mica, the mineral that gives cosmetics their shine.

From nail polish to lipstick, mica is found in cosmetics that millions of people use every day.

But unknown to consumers, the mineral that gives these products their shine is often extracted using antiquated methods in slave-like conditions, in one of the poorest regions of the world.

In the dusty hills of Jharkhand, India, deep crevices have been cleaved into the hard earth. Men, women and children rummage through the dirt, using their bare hands and a few rudimentary tools to scrape the ground.