Caracterização dos impactos ambientais da mineração na bacia hidrográfica do rio São Lamberto, Montes Claros/MG

Abstract

The disorderly occupation of the landscape generates numerous problems of environmental degrada-tion. The predatory mining activity without mining plan, entails environmental impacts in the hydrogra-phic basins. The present study will serve for the dissemination of information, as well as for proposing and developing environmental control actions. In this way, the objective of this work is to identify the areas of mineral exploration and to characterize the environmental impacts from these activities. In the period from August 2007 to July 2008, the Participatory Environmental Diagnosis, the Ckeclist of im-pacts and the Environmental Risk Mapping were carried out. 18 (69.23%) gravel extraction points were identified; Four (15.38%) sand extraction points; Three (13.33%) clay extraction points and one (3.84%) quartz extraction area. A total of 26 areas containing impacts from the mining activity were constitu-ted. The most notable impacts were those related to loss of vegetation cover, soil erosion processes, sedimentation of watercourses and landscape deconfiguration. Offering risk situations related to soil, water and vegetation. The mineral exploration without mining planning caused significant changes in the natural landscape and generated environmental impacts of varied proportions. It is necessary the continuity of an integrated and participative management involving the environmental organs, the local community and the society. Knowledge about soil skills, planned exploration and mitigation actions are important tools for a rational occupation of the area, respecting the environmental limitations in the São Lamberto river basin.