Rompimento da barragem da mina do Córrego do Feijão: impactos do capitalismo sobre o Estado e o território

Abstract

This study analyses the Brumadinho disaster as an expression of the structural dynamics of the extractivist model prevailing in Brazil, rooted in economic dependency relations and the capitalist production of space. Grounded in the Derivation Theory, the research examines the role of the State as a mediator of the contradictions between capital and society, highlighting how its actions legitimize predatory mining practices that result in territorial inequalities and socio-environmental vulnerabilities. Far from being an isolated or merely technical event, the collapse of the Córrego do Feijão Mine dam is analyzed as a consequence of an economic and political structure that subordinates human, social, and environmental rights to the demands of capital. The study adopts a qualitative approach, combining theoretical debates with a documental analysis of the Brumadinho case. It discusses failures in regulatory mechanisms and the complicity of the State in the relaxation of environmental standards, revealing the functional role of the State in reproducing the conditions for capital accumulation. Furthermore, the research examines official narratives surrounding the disaster, which often minimize responsibility and depoliticize the debate, perpetuating the dominance of the extractivist model. The findings underscore the need for a broader critique of the development model that organizes space and territories around the exploitation of natural resources. By proposing a perspective that positions territory as central to the reproduction of life and rights, the study seeks to contribute to the formulation of public policies that address the structural contradictions of extractivism and promote more just and sustainable territorial planning. This approach emphasizes the urgency of transforming the relationships between the State, capital, and territory to mitigate socio-environmental vulnerabilities and ensure dignified living conditions for affected populations.