A/HRC/18/30 not receive any Government support or protection and are vulnerable to exploitation by mine employers. These communities are set up by people who for various reasons leave their traditional way of live and go to work in this sector. The communities are set up in an ad hoc manner with little or no regard to societal norms. These communities often attract those unable or unwilling to sustain traditional lifestyles or occupations (see A/HRC/18/30/Add.1). L. HIV/AIDS 48. HIV/AIDS has had a huge impact on all of society, not least those subject to child slavery in mining and quarrying. In central and southern Africa the scourge of AIDS has left many orphans.17 This situation – coupled with the fact that there is already a lot of pressure on the disintegrating traditional extended family support system – means that many orphans end up working unaccompanied in this sector. VI. Nature and impact of child slavery on the enjoyment of children’s rights 49. As mentioned earlier, the combined elements of coercion, fear, restriction on freedom of movement and complete dependence on the employer exhibit characteristics which amount to contemporary forms of slavery. This contemporary form of slavery results in the violation of a series of other children’s rights. This section deals with the violations that occur while they are in slavery within mines and quarries. A. Nature and impact on the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development 50. Children start to work with their families (parents or relatives), unpaid, in mines and quarries from the age of 3.18 They start by performing small tasks such as lifting stones, supplying adults with tools, breaking stones and sifting gravel in order to support the family and eventually end up involved in all aspects of mining and quarrying. Children in artisanal mines and quarries also cook and clean for their families and other adult mine workers. 51. Children often start performing the same tasks as adults more regularly and full time from the age of 12 years (see A/HRC/18/30/Add.1). By the time they are adolescents, children work in the actual extraction of minerals underground, underwater or on the surface. These children are also likely to work in the separation, processing and transportation of the minerals. The children face the same risks as adults but lack the same strength and judgement to protect themselves from harm. The effects that this work has on children are much more severe than for adults because of their anatomical, physiological and psychological development, which places them in a situation of increased vulnerability. Tools and safety equipment, when available, have been designed for adults and to correspond to the measurement of children. Children also work very long hours with little or no pay. 52. Children working in the mines and quarries are vulnerable to physical, sexual, moral and social harm. Artisanal mining and quarrying is inherently informal and illegal – 17 18 12 See Breaking new ground. See Squeezing Gold from a Stone.