Collapse of the port of Santana-AP in March 2013: Perspectives of a socio-environmental impact on the Amazon River, Brazil

Abstract

This article consists of an analysis of the collapse of the Iron Ore Export Port, located in the municipality of Santana/AP, which occurred in March 2013, and its consequences, especially social and environmental. Based on these aspects, this article aimed to analyze what were and still are the implications of a socio-environmental impact on the Amazon River, six years after the collapse of the Port of Santana-AP. Methodologically, a qualitative, descriptive-analytical and exploratory study was carried out, developed through a bibliographic review research, about the literature published in books, scientific articles published in journals, as well as analysis of official documents and reports, related to studies on the disaster. A new phase of mineral exploration was triggered in the State of Amapá in the early decades of the 21st century. In this context, the municipalities of Santana and Pedra Branca do Amapari were and still are strategic cities for the functioning of the dynamics of mineral exploration in the State. The collapse of the port structure killed six people, poured a high amount of iron ore over the Amazon River, directly affecting the environmental characteristics of Rio, as well as the way of life of communities that depend on it, because these peoples have cultural relations of direct utility and survival with it. In the long run, the disaster affected the amapaense mineral economy, caused mass layoffs, bankruptcy of many service providers, among others. Given the weaknesses evidenced and aggravated from the collapse of the Port of Santana, it is concluded that it is essential to rereformatise the urban-territorial planning policies that invest, from the installation of these enterprises, even in the prevention and alerts of possible disasters, especially in regions that have large mineral projects, such as the case under study.