Mineurs

Mineurs is a French word that can refer to two distinct concepts depending on context: people who work in mines and individuals who are under the age of majority. As a noun, mineur (plural mineurs) denotes a miner, a worker in a mine who extracts minerals or fuels. As an adjective, mineur describes something related to a person who is under the age of adulthood; the form mineurs is used for masculine plural and mineures for feminine plural.

Miners: Throughout history, miners have faced hazardous working conditions, including cave-ins, damp environments, and exposure to dust and gases. Safety standards, ventilation, and automation have reduced some risks. The occupation is concentrated in regions with mineral resources, such as coal basins, metal ore deposits, and salt or gemstone mines. In many countries, mining labor unions and government regulations shape wages, hours, and safety training.

Minors: In law, a minor is a person under the age of majority. Age thresholds vary by country, commonly 18, but some jurisdictions set 16 or 21 for certain rights. Laws govern child labor, education requirements, and consent for medical or contractual matters. In many French-speaking contexts, the term mineur appears in legal texts or discussions about youth protection and schooling.