YA Fantasy White-haired Orphan Harvests Magic
YA fantasy set in another world. I read it between 2004 and 2010 as a teen. I found it in my local library in the YA section. It was more or less age-appropriate. I unfortunately do not remember anything about the cover, but I do know it caught my eye while browsing the shelves
It’s about an orphan boy working in a mine or something to collect magic/dust/powder/something. The magic stuff turned his hair white and made him sick. There was also a girl character who was of a higher standing than he was, and they became friends. The boy was recognized as a chosen one of sorts and a magical official pulled him out the child labor situation. He may have been an Oracle or something like that for their religion? The boy was pretty sick towards the end if I remember correctly. I am fairly sure that it’s hinted that the official that pulled him out ends up being his father. There may have been a deity involved—I’m not sure.
This has been driving me insane for years! Any help would be wonderful.