Large mineral activity: A social, economic and environmental approach through geotechnologies

Abstract

Mining is one of the most important economic activities in Goiás, and it is necessary for the municipalities. The abundance of some mineral substances in the state makes Goiás a desirable location for large extraction companies. This research paper outlines that landscape alteration is inevitable, as it is necessary to remove natural areas for the exploitation of minerals. Agricultural areas could be effected by this process. This paper is discussing a evolution of mining activity that was done with the corporation of Alto Horizonte between 1985 and 2015, observing intervals of a decade, and relating this change to the socio-economic data of the municipality. Remote sensing techniques were used in conjunction with Geographic Information System (GIS), two such techniques include: satellite, image classification and data from socioeconomic surveys. Which provided the basis for relating them to the information generated by the mappings. Through quantitative analysis and visual observations of the mappings of the enterprise and its surroundings, it was possible to notice the modification of the landscape. In addition, socioeconomic data could indicate the influence that mining has had on Alto Horizonte. Although the enterprise has a high industrial mineral production and raise the city's GDP, it is not invested in better wages for the population, ie, workers' income does not keep up with the minimum wage increase.