O cenário do minério de ferro e o impacto socioeconômico do Projeto Pedra de Ferro para o estado da Bahia

Abstract

This study aims to approach the economic potential of the Pedra de Ferro Project, whose deposit is located in the municipality of Caetité, southwestern Bahia, with mineable reserves, around 557.2 million tons, with a forecast of 30 years of operation, elevating Bahia to the status of the 3rd largest Brazilian producer of iron ore. When operating on a larger scale, the production will be transported by the West East Integration Railway – FIOL, for about 537 km to Porto Sul, in Ilhéus, and will significantly contribute to changes in the Bahian economic scenario, both local and regional, in the interior to the coast, decentralizing the economy of the capital and metropolitan region, and promoting greater integration in the state with socioeconomic development. The economy in all spheres (municipal, state and federal) will be leveraged from the consolidation of a structuring logistics along the 03 major pillars of this project: Mine, Railroad (FIOL) and Port. Aspects of the iron ore industry were analyzed in light of geological knowledge, mineral reserves, geometallurgical aspects and the world market. The Pedra de Ferro Project will be divided into 03 phases over 30 years of operation, and the products generated have high quality, attested by the high metallic content of iron and low levels of contaminants. Another advantage of the high quality of BAMIN products is the ability to contribute to reducing the emission of carbon dioxide - CO2, and to consume less coal, also making them an environmental reference. Within the world scenario, Brazilian exports have a large company, with China being the main consumer.