As the Industrial Revolution engulfed much of the U.K. durin the 19th Century, coal mining was also at its peak in Wales. Around 1850, Wales was most famous for the rich coalminding industry in Rhondda Valley, located in southern Wales. A great portion of workers who were working in these coal mines were children as young as 10 years old. While the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, so was the increase of chid labor. Many employers found it easier and significantly cheaper to hire and have children participate in the work in these tight, crammped, close-knit spaces in the mines. Children seemd to be the perfect size to get into these small spaces. Along with that, most children were given very little to no wages in return for the work that they completed. Spending a great deal of time undergroud and hardly ever seeing the light of day, many children were also at risk for multiple health complications and illnesses that were prevalent inside of these coal mines. One of the biggest health concerns for children, and all miner's alike, was "black lung". The Inhalation of black lung in these coal mines proved to be significantly detrimental, especially to the children who were to endure it.
"Child Labor in the Coal Mines in England" image by stmuhistorymedia.org
Sources:
https://eh.net/encyclopedia/child-labor-during-the-british-industrial-r…
https://museum.wales/articles/2011-04-11/Children-in-Mines/
https://ourworldindata.org/child-labor
https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/waleshistory/2011/03/wales_and_industrialis…\
stmuhistorymedia.org