Child Labor in Artisanal Mining in Bonanza, Nicaragua: An Analysis of the Bonanza Model

Abstract

Child labor in artisanal mining is a persistent problem in developing countries, where economic, cultural, and regulatory factors converge in contexts of high informal economic activity. This study analyzes the participation of children and adolescents in artisanal mining in Bonanza, Nicaragua, with the aim of describing their working conditions and evaluating the role of the Bonanza Model as a local strategy for prevention and eradication. The research, which employed a mixed-methods approach and a descriptive cross-sectional design, administered structured surveys to 333 artisanal miners, supplemented by a review of documents and regulations. The study shows that seventy-two minors were identified as involved in mining activities (all boys aged 12 to 17), performing tasks such as refining, loading sacks, and handling tools, with workdays of 4 to 6 hours per day and wages below the minimum wage. Among the associated factors, cultural perceptions that legitimize child labor (35.27 %) stand out, followed by family economic conditions (30.33 %) and the intergenerational transmission of the trade (24.38 %). Furthermore, seventy-four percent of respondents are unaware of the legislation prohibiting child labor. While the Bonanza Model represents a significant initiative in territorial governance, its impact on reducing child labor still faces institutional, social, and cultural challenges. It needs to be strengthened through the creation and implementation of active social policies and profound cultural changes.