Photographer Simone Francescangeli is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. From the project ‘MINERITOS’. To see Simone’s body of work, click on any photograph.

Breaking stones at 11 years old hoping to have the opportunity to study and become an engineer.

Father and son in the mine during a rare break.

A teenager miner pulling a cart full of stones.

A teenager miner helping his father into building sticks of dynamite for mine explosions.

At 4090 meters above sea level, in Bolivia, thousands of people survive thanks to mining as an economic resource. In the recent past years, the Bolivian government intervened with Law No. 548 on “Ninos y ninas y adolescentes Trabajadores” to protect and regulate in some way the child labor. The law aims to adapt the constraints of international conventions on child labor to the needs of subsistence due to the country’s deep poverty. This law establishes the minimum age of minor workers in 12 years and defines what activities are forbidden for adolescents. The widespread economic difficulties and survival have no age limits and mines offer the possibility of a daily salary. It’s not difficult to meet minors outside and inside the mines.

The average life prospect is 45 years old. A life in very hard conditions, made of contrasts, spiritual beliefs, solitude and dependencies of all kinds. “We were dust and dust we remain…” in the mountains of the mines.

Central cemetery of the city. The average life expectancy of a miner is around 40 years.

Any celebration is a good opportunity to drink and forget miners living conditions. Starting from a very young age.

Celebrating Christmas Day. Families of young miners in one of the cenral squares. One of the most sought-after gifts by children: cotton candy.

A couple of teenagers in their home. She is sixteen waiting for a child. In the wardrobe the precious working tools.

A teenager miner with his precious object. All his savings spent in the passion for engines.

Simone Francescangeli a self-made visual storyteller. Curious of life and its countless forms, is attracted in human stories and their relationship with the earth and natural resources.

His path brought him among the rooms of the houses in the Covid period, among pilgrims in Ethiopia, on board of artisanal fishermen's boats in the middle of Pacific Ocean, in Bolivian mines, along the Carretera Austral, a sign of a past dictatorship, over Cuban rings and many more.

All images and text © Simone Francescangeli