Mining: Between Wealth and Devastation

Minas 247 - Mineral exploration is so important to Minas Gerais that it's in its name and historical origins. It has generated wealth, built families and cities in the state. But it has also brought environmental and social problems. Last year alone, there were 37 conflicts in 35 cities in Minas Gerais, according to the Conflict Map of the Environmental Themes Study Group at UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais).

Read an excerpt from the report by Bruno Porto, from the newspaper Nowadays:

Mining plays a leading role twice in the history of Minas Gerais: in the chapters that recount the economic figures, it is the engine of a state that is typically an exporter. The iron ore extracted from the subsoil of Minas Gerais and transported across the ocean generated revenues for companies of more than US$ 14 billion in 2012.

In the pages dedicated to stories of environmental devastation and disrespect for human rights, the sector gains greater prominence each year. There are at least 37 environmental and social conflicts occurring in 35 municipalities in Minas Gerais, according to the Conflict Map of the Environmental Themes Study Group of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Gesta/UFMG).

These are cases of direct impacts, such as river pollution, water scarcity, houses near mines collapsing due to explosive detonations, and others. Indirectly, mining municipalities also suffer impacts, such as population growth leading to a proliferation of drug trafficking and saturation of public services, such as hospitals and schools.