Human Rights Watch…estimate[s]…that thousands of children, mostly between the ages of 15 and 17…work…in perilous conditions [in Ghana’s artisanal mines]…Ghana's Children's Act prohibits mining work for anyone under the age of 18. However, lax enforcement…and a lack of systematic inspections have led to continued child labour within the mining industry…[H]azardous conditions have led to a number of injuries, respiratory problems, pain and one death…[C]hildren also risk brain damage and other life-long disabilities from mercury poisoning…Most of the children…work…to cover school-related costs. Many attend school irregularly and…eventually drop out…Three of Ghana's largest gold exporting companies said they had at times bought gold that could not be traced back to its origin. Only one said it bought…exclusively from licensed mines…HRW…[urged] the Ghanaian government…[to] undertake fundamental reforms to…the artisanal and small-scale mining sector…