Representations of the residents of the exploration areas on the importance and impacts of mining

Abstract

Exploitation of land resources has been increasing in various parts of the world, especially in relation to mineral exploration. In Brazil, many communities have suffered from the socio-environmental impacts resulting from the exploitation of these resources. The objective of this study was to investigate the representations of the residents of the mineral exploration areas of the gneiss about the impacts and importance of mining. The socioeconomic profile, the positive and negative impacts of mining and the community-company relationship were investigated. For data collection, interviews were carried out with the application of semi-structured questionnaires to 87 inhabitants, randomly selected, having as inclusion criteria the age> / = 18 years and schooling, opting for the literate. The results show that among socioenvironmental problems, dysfunction of the respiratory system, explosion of rocks with consequent modifications in the landscape, loss of fauna and flora, among other impacts, has been generating conflicts between the community and the mining company. It is necessary to seek solutions that can mitigate these conflicts and reorder the territory occupied by the community, as well as develop actions to recover degraded areas.