At this mine in northern India, young children work illegally alongside their families sifting through the rubble to find a mineral used in cosmetics, paints and electronics.

Jharkhand, where this mica mine is located, is among India’s poorest states and the youngsters are forced to work to help their families put food on the table.

According to The Child Labour Coalition, it is estimated that 22,000 children work in mica mines in Jharkhand and in Bihar states although the unregulated nature of the industry makes it hard to know the true figure.

Mining mica is a dangerous, labour-intensive process that requires children to enter narrow shafts that often collapse.

Children are also constantly exposed to dust, which can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.

NGOs have warned, however, that closing the illegal mines would force whole communities into extreme poverty.

They've called instead for more training for families so that they can find employment elsewhere.

The small Childrens slavery in mica mining in koderma , Jharkhand Northern India . Mica is a mineral found in the ground and in caves that is prized for its luster and sparkling effects. It is used in the world cosmetic industry.

According to the footages Small childrens & his family doing mica mining with us. It's completely ellegal but they are doing for money. They earn every day for mining approx 30- 40 dollar to cell mica factory. Its very dangerous inside for mining. The several death accident happened inside mining. The government & social ngo alwayss takes action these types activities.