Mina do Morro do Ouro, Apiaí, SP - A transformação em parque

Abstract

The exploitation of gold in secondary deposits started in Apiaí in the second half of the 17th century, andwas discontinuously performed until the end of the 19th century. The underground mining was initiated in 1889 in the Morro do Ouro mine and operated intermittently until 1942, when it was compulsorily closed, not operating since them. In 1998, after being abandoned for a long time, it turned into an area of public interest by a municipal law. In 2002, a proposal to turn the former mine into a geotouristic attraction was accepted by the municipality wich started the effective set up of the park in 2003. In 2004, the Parque Natural Municipal do Morro do Ouro was officially created, characterizing the conversion of an environmental liability into a geotouristic site.