Brazilian Mineral Research Articles

Evaluation of the Calibration Curve of Water Content Sensors in Iron Ore Tailings

Evaluation of the Calibration Curve of Water Content Sensors in Iron Ore Tailings

Conservation in the Amazon rainforest and Google searches: A DCCA approach.

In this paper we analyze the descriptive statistics of the Google search volume for the terms related to the National Reserve of Copper and Associates (RENCA), a Brazilian mineral reserve in the Amazon of 4.6 million hectares, before and after the government signed the decree releasing it for exploration. First, we analyze the volume of searches for expressions related to RENCA in Google Trends using descriptive statistics; second, we assess the cross-correlation coefficient ρDCCA, which measures the cross-correlation between two nonstationary time series across different time scales. After the government announced the release of the RENCA reserve, there was an increase in the average volume of Google searches for related terms, showing people’s concern about the announcement. By using the cross-correlation coefficient ρDCCA, we identify strong cross-correlations between the different expressions related to RENCA in Google Trends. Our work shows the utility of Google Trends as an indicator of the perception of environmental policies. Additionally, we show that ρDCCA can be used as a tool to measure the cross-correlation between synonyms extracted from Google Trends for various time scales.

Environmental Epidemiology for Action: Analysis of Cancer Mortality, Exogenous Poisoning in a Municipality with Mining and Agrotoxics in Brazil

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Brazil has about 98% of niobium deposits in the world. It is also the main consumer of pesticides in the world. Goiás (GO) is a Brazilian state with a population of 7 million inhabitants. GO is the third largest Brazilian mineral producer, the main producer of asbestos and nickel, a major producer of phosphate rock, niobium and gold. Catalão (CT) is a municipality in the state of GO, with 100 thousand inhabitants. Mining is an important factor in the economy of CT. One of the metals explored is niobium. CT has a profile aimed at agriculture and pesticides are widely used, substances in human drinking water have been identified such as: DDT, Atrazine, Aldrin, 2,4D. Given this environmental situation, it is essential to know the health profile of the population, using environmental epidemiology. AIM: to analyze data on cancer mortality and exogenous intoxications in the municipality of Catalão METHODS: Descriptive study. Data were collected at the Brazilian Institute of Geography IBGE and data Ministry of Health. Period: 2010 to 2019 RESULTS:Mortality rates for general cancer in CT were similar to GO. They were differentiated in the 30 - 39 yo group in CT, they were 30% higher than the GO. Mortality from liver cancer in CT for the age group 30 to 39 yo: 1.18 / 100.000, while in GO they were 0.52 / 100.000. About exogenous intoxications: in GO, 57% of the 9,391 cases occurred in the black population. When analyzed by pesticides, 65% were in the black population. In CT, 28% were registered as work-related, 66% of metal poisonings occurred in children up to 9 yo CONCLUSIONS:In view of the various environmental factors existing in the municipality, environmental epidemiology is a fundamental tool to guide specific analyzes and studies with this population, aiming at the implementation of public policy. KEYWORDS: Pesticides, Chemical exposures, Water quality, Policy and practice, Mortality, Children's environmental health

Recursos minerais do Brasil

Esta revisão objetiva elaborar diretrizes para aumentar a atratividade de investimentos no setor mineral brasileiro. Fundamenta-se em pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, consultas a diversas órgãos de governo e instituições privadas, visando diagnosticar a situação atual, diante das potencialidades e deficiências. Aborda-se o potencial de depósitos minerais econômicos do país em áreas indígenas e faixas de fronteira, plataforma continental e adjacências e Antártica, focalizando os agrominerais, minerais estratégicos, energéticos e aqueles essenciais à saúde, bem como os usados na construção civil e rochas ornamentais. Mapas indicam áreas mais favoráveis à ocorrência de minerais econômicos, mostrando o grande potencial mineral para ferrosos, não ferrosos, metais preciosos, metais-base, estratégicos e outros. Conclui-se ser necessário, visando ao uso e à exploração sustentáveis: (1) desburocratizar os instrumentos jurídicos para outorga de exploração; (2) agregar valor aos bens minerais; (3) combater a invasão garimpeira; (4) investir na segurança de barragens; (5) redefinir as formas de destinação dos rejeitos.

Brazilian Mineral Clays: Classification, Acid Activation and Application as Catalysts for Methyl Esterification Reactions

In this study, three raw Brazilian clays from Joao Pessoa, Paraiba State (Aco AP, AVL and Verde Lodo) were characterized before and after purification and acid activation. Several instrumental techniques were used, and the raw clays were classified as dioctahedral smectites with different compositions, where the AVL sample had the highest content of montmorillonite. In addition, analyses showed modification in clay mineral compositions, mainly due to removal of impurities and octahedral sheet cation leaching during acid activation, which resulted in specific areas ranging from 42 to 93 m2 g-1 and increase of the Bronsted/Lewis acid site ratio, until 1.52 (AVL). Then, methyl esterification reactions were performed using the acid-activated clays as catalysts. The maximum acid conversions obtained were of 92 and 64%, for acetic acid using activated AVL and for lauric acid using activated Verde Lodo, respectively, and these data were correlated mainly to the Bronsted-Lowry acidity.

Content analysis of dam break studies for tailings dams with high damage potential in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais: technical weaknesses and proposals for improvements

Tailings dams are civil structures that have an intrinsic potential risk of failure that, if poorly managed or neglected, can lead to severe societal, environmental, and economic damage. Studies of dam breaks make it possible to anticipate these damages and plan appropriate contingency actions for critical situations. In this context, the present work presents the analysis of 86 dam break studies of mining tailings dams in the important Brazilian mineral province called the Quadrilatero Ferrifero, or Iron Quadrilateral, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The analysis involved verifying whether the studies complied with legal requirements, met international guidelines, and addressed the minimum parameters reported as critical in the literature. We found that all studies analyzed present these components: hydrological studies, the definition of the failure mode and rupture hydrograph, and propagation of the flood wave and mapping of the effects of the rupture in the valley downstream of the dam structure. However, the dam break studies showed deficiencies, such as the weakness of the hydrological studies, lack of specific criteria on the volume of tailings that are supposed to mobilize in a possible rupture, and the failures to consistently model tailings as non-Newtonian fluids. These deficiencies found in the dam break studies present in Emergency Action Plan affect the predictive capacity of the rupture models and thus the accuracy of the flood maps they generate, negatively influencing preparation actions in an eventual emergency. In the absence of guidelines and the regulation about the minimal content of the dam breach studies, we suggest that a possibility for solving this deficiency in the short run is to have technically trained professionals from inspection and control agencies audit the content of the dam break studies.

The impacts of Covid-19 on the major mining municipalities in Brazil

This paper discusses the influences of mining on the spread of the new coronavirus in the largest mining municipalities in Brazil, since its determination as an essential activity to face Covid-19. The theoretical discussion approaches the doubt as to whether or not the spread of the new coronavirus is greater between workers who maintained their activities. The objective of this paper is to investigate how the mining activity has been affected and if it's influencing the panorama of the growing contagion in Brazil. To measure the incidence rates, the methodology involved quantitative and qualitative analysis based on a case study selection of mining municipalities and the monitoring of job offers. In addition to bibliographic research and an economic assessment of the Brazilian mineral sector, the investigation focuses on the possible link between risks to local population and worker’s health in the continuity of their activities. Georeferencing techniques and the proposition of actions in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) applied for the mineral sector were also part of the analysis methodology. The results verified that: (i) there is a higher degree of incidence of Covid-19 in the selected mining municipalities than in the other municipalities of the same state; (ii) there is a higher ratio of coronavirus cases in the selected mining municipalities than the others in the same population range; (iii) the stable supply of job offers in the mining sector between 2019 and 2020 confirms the maintenance of activities in the selected mining municipalities.

Effect of three different binders and pellet feed on granulation behaviour of sintering mixtures

ABSTRACT Cold agglomeration experiments were made in order to investigate the effect of three binders with different chemical composition (sodium polyacrylamide, cellulose derivate and a specific Brazilian mineral coal) and the addition of pellet feed in the sintering mixture, on the efficiency of granulation, evaluated by the mean particle size of the agglomerate and microstructure of the micro pellets. The binder that produced the highest mean particle size was used in new cold agglomeration experiments in order to indirectly evaluate the mechanical strength of the agglomerate. The experiments showed that only the cellulose derivate binder was capable of producing agglomerates with equal or greater mean particle size when compared with the base test for practically all performed tests, regarding the values of d 50 and Sauter mean diameter, besides promoting the increase on the adhering layer thickness and stability of the nuclei-adhering layer interface of the micro pellets.

The importance of principal components in studying mineral prices using vector autoregressive models: Evidence from the Brazilian economy

This study examines the impact of the main Brazilian mineral commodity prices negotiated in trade balance using vector autoregressive models (VAR) in the Brazilian economy in a short-term period. VAR models were applied to the full original data and then to the data dimensionality reduced by principal components denoted by PC-VAR (principal component - vector autoregressive). In the study cases, Cholesky decomposition impulse response and variance decomposition were performed and compared in terms of short run co-movements to identify the most effective model. The applied PC-VAR methodology led to a significant reduction of variables, and similar co-movements were obtained in the short-term period when an impulse response was applied and compared to an unrestricted vector autoregressive. The proposed method also identified the most important variables that affect the other variables in the Brazilian economy and have the same co-movements.

DNPM actions on the implementation of law 12.334/2010: from the ordinances and inspections to the SIGBM

Abstract As defined in PNSB - Law 12.334/2010 (Brasil, 2010), the DNPM, which manages the Brazilian mineral resources, is also responsible for overseeing the safety management of tailings dams in the country. The purpose of this article is to present the actions carried out in this context by the Department since the enactment of the Law in 2010, such as: elaboration of infra-legal regulatory instruments, training of civil servants, inspection actions throughout the country, seminars and lectures at mining companies and the organized civil society in general, among others, with the primary purpose of monitoring the implementation of the law instruments by mining companies, such as PSB and PAEBM, in order to avoid / mitigate accidents related to these structures.

Forest Restoration Evaluation Through Indicators in Areas of Bauxite Mining

ABSTRACT The state of Para ranks second in Brazilian mineral production, where bauxite accounts for 84% of total mineral extraction, with negative impacts on the environment as a result. The determination of objectives and targets using environmental indicators as a tool to evaluate forest restoration processes is essential in the recovery of these exploited areas. This study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of forest restoration techniques by means of 13 qualitative and quantitative indicators for monitoring post-bauxite mining operations. Permanent plots were implanted in revegetated areas with the use of two techniques: planting of seedlings and stewarding of natural regeneration. It is concluded that the techniques are efficient for the recovery of forested area. However, natural regeneration showed greater efficiency for restoration for Density, Erosion and Exotic Species indicators. Still, natural regeneration should not be the sole option in the processes of ecosystem restoration, since planting proved to be more efficient for some indicators.

National iron panorama between 2010 and 2014

Mining is the activity carried out that aims to remove a mineral good from the earth’s crust, representing about 5% of Brazil’s GDP in 2014. Iron is an easily oxidisable, dubious and magnetic chemical element. It is the most common, cheap and most important of metals. Hematite (Fe2 O3) is the main mineral with predominant iron content in its composition. In 2010, Brazil’s iron production accounted for about 15% of world production. The steel industry accounts for 99% of the world’s iron consumption. The sea route is the main means of transport of goods between Brazil and foreign trade. The research was carried out by accessing the DNPM website, the data collected were from 2010 to 2014. In this period Australia had the largest mineral reserve of iron and China the largest production in the world. In 2013 there was a fall in Brazilian iron production and its effective consumption. The national economy and world trade were the main factors for the instability of the Brazilian mineral sector between 2010 and 2014. The decrease in the price of iron in the world market caused the drop in iron production in Brazil in 2013, when iron consumption in Brazil was severely affected by the economic crisis that affected the country. China’s high investments in the mineral sector have boosted the country’s participation in world trade, becoming the world’s leading iron producer, between 2010 and 2014 China was the main buyer of iron produced in Brazil.

Practices of energy use management and sustainable performance in Brazilian mineral industries

AbstractEnergy is an essential asset for the existence of industrial activities, however, the absence of energy use management may lead to numerous environmental, economic, and social impacts. Thus, industries, which are major consumers of energy, play an essential role in seeking to preserve the energy system. This study aimed at analyzing the practices of energy use management and their relation to sustainable performance in the industries within the Brazilian mineral sector. The practices of energy use management were measured using the model proposed by Liu et al. (2012, Journal of Cleaner Production, 26, 79–89). After that, evidence of sustainable performance was identified based on performance indicators developed by the Global Reporting Initiative (2006, 2010, 2014). The study is characterized as quantitative, and it was conducted through a survey of industries linked to the Brazilian Mining Association. Through our results, we verified that the practices related to energy use management existent in the companies that we studied are subjected to periodic verification of the impacts caused by company activities on the environment, and that attention to energy use provides an incentive to daily practices of energy saving. On the other hand, the practices of energy use management are still little disseminated among these companies, as is certification to the International Organisation for Standardization's (ISO) Energy Management Systems framework, ISO 50001. In general, through the analyses that we performed, we can verify the existence of positive associations between the factors related to the practices of energy use management and to corporate sustainable performance.

Summary history of Brazil spas

In Brazil, since 1540, there are mentions about mineral water. But only in 1808, with the coming of the Royal family to Brazil, did the scientific research of our mineral waters begin. The visit of Princess Isabel to the hydromineral resorts of southern Minas Gerais in 1860, contributed to the development of Brazilian thermalism (Alvisi, page 101). Although the majority of Brazilian mineral waters present little concentration of dissolved solids, which gives them a neutral and pleasant sensation of lightness and palate, the proven therapeutic action of Brazilian mineral waters still needed explanation (Caetano, 2005). At the Congress of Chemistry in 1922, the minimum limit of 10 Maches established by Europeans for a medicinal mineral effect to have a medicinal effect (Lopes, 1931, p.22), would prove the therapeutic power of Brazilian mineral waters, which, despite almost always from radioactive or weakly radioactive sources. In addition, the separation of the Hydromineral Stations by climatic stations and not necessarily by the temperature of the water at the source allowed the cold, radioactive Brazilian mineral waters to gain space in the Thermalism, a concept that had its extension extended to any treatment station mineral water, regardless of the temperature of the water at the source, since, in the hydromineral resorts of cold water sources, the thermal baths were routine and took place through the artificial heating of the mineral water. A historical survey of Brazilian hydromineral resorts in the recent past may encourage Brazilian medical institutions to recover the culture of Crenology through the return of this discipline to the curriculum of medical courses in Brazil.

Geochemical analyses of water and public health of the Mangueirão and Salso Streams in Caçapava do Sul, RS, Brazil

Caçapava do Sul, RS, Brazil produces 80% of the State’s rock–dust, and its 1st district is located near four marble quarries. A significant increase in Brazilian mineral extraction has caused serious environmental problems, such as the development and proliferation of diseases directly related to water resources. This study sought to investigate the water composition in the 1st district area. Geochemical investigation revealed waters classified as soft and hard, neutral and alkaline pH. Electric conductivity ranged from 95.7 to 548 μs cm-1, and total alkalinity ranged from 57 to 241 mg L-1. Ca and Mg ranged from 6.01 to 54.1 and from 4.6 to 32.75, respectively. All measured values met the potability standards for human consumption established by Ordinance Nos. 2914 (2011), 36‑GM/1990, and1469/2000.

Determination of vanadium in water samples from Brazilian mineral spring (Ibirá Spa) using ICP-MS

A methodology was developed for the determination of vanadium in water samples from a hydromineral spa located in Ibirá, Sao Paulo State, Brazil and in bottled drinking water, employing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Evaluation of matrix isobaric interferences focused on the 35Cl16O+ polyatomic species at m/z 51. The determinations were carried out in standard and kinetic energy discrimination (KED) modes. Optimization of the helium flow rate in the KED mode showed that the most effective interference correction was achieved at a flow rate of 5.0mLmin−1. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.0097 and 0.0094μgL−1 for the standard and KED modes, respectively. The concentrations of vanadium quantified in the samples studied ranged from 65.2±0.36 to 831±8.7μgL−1. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analysis of a certified reference material for water (NIST 1640A), achieving a recovery of 101%.

Minerais do grupo da crichtonita em veios de quartzo da Serra do Espinhaço (Minas Gerais e Bahia)

O trabalho descreve quatro minerais do grupo da crichtonita encontrados em veios hidrotermais de quartzo, que cortam diversas formações geológicas da Serra do Espinhaço (Supergrupo Espinhaço). Esses minerais – senaíta, crichtonita, almeidaíta e gramaccioliíta-(Y) – foram coletados em duas regiões: Presidente Kubitschek, ao sul de Diamantina (MG), e Novo Horizonte, na Chapada Diamantina Ocidental (BA). A idade de tais veios é relacionada ao final do Ciclo Brasiliano, em ca. 490 Ma. A senaíta é um mineral descoberto no Brasil e classicamente identificado nos aluviões diamantíferos da região de Diamantina; sua primeira ocorrência primária é aqui descrita. A crichtonita, apesar de conhecida desde longa data, teve seu primeiro depósito no país reportado nessa mesma região. A almeidaíta é o 61º e um dos mais recentes dos “minerais brasileiros”, sendo encontrada na região de Novo Horizonte. A gramaccioliíta-(Y), uma espécie descoberta na última década (Itália), tem sua primeira ocorrência brasileira descrita também nessa região. Os depósitos e as composições químicas desses minerais são caracterizados, bem como as problemáticas envolvidas até suas definições finais.

Pre-concentration and speciation of inorganic antimony in bottled water and natural water by cloud point extraction with Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A method for antimony speciation by cloud point extraction (CPE) was optimized and validated in house. The pre-concentration method was based on the selective cloud point extraction of Sb(III) after its complexation with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) at pH2.0, separation of a surfactant rich phase on the cloud point of the non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-114) and subsequent determination by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ET AAS). Sb(V) was not extracted at pH2.0. Total Sb was determined after reducing Sb(V) to Sb(III) by l-cysteine. Then, concentration of Sb(V) was calculated by subtracting Sb(III) from total antimony. The main factors affecting separation/pre-concentration were investigated using univariate and multivariate approach. The detection limit for Sb(III) was 0.06μgL−1, the enrichment factor for this determination was 12, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was <5.9%. The proposed method was applied for the speciation of inorganic Sb in different water samples with satisfactory results. For the first time, a case study was conducted with Brazilian mineral waters stored in PET bottles in the speciation of Sb. The results showed that Sb(III) concentrations ranged from 1.8±0.3μgL−1 to 3.2±0.2μgL−1. The Sb(V) values ranged from 0.63±0.01μgL−1 to 1.88±0.01μgL−1.

Gestão sustentável da cadeia de suprimentos e desempenho inovador: um estudo multicaso no setor mineral brasileiro

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a associação entre a gestão sustentável da cadeia de suprimentos e o desempenho inovador do processo produtivo em empresas do setor mineral brasileiro. Para atingir esse objetivo utilizou-se como base os pressupostos teóricos de Pagell e Wu (2009), Makkonen e Van Der Have (2012) e Gunday et al. (2011). O estudo possui uma abordagem qualitativa e natureza exploratória e descritiva. Como estratégia de pesquisa, utilizou-se o método de estudo multicaso, desenvolvido a partir de entrevistas exploratórias e pesquisa documental. Dentre os principais resultados, foi possível destacar, em dois casos, a disposição proativa em prol de políticas e ações que contribuam para a sustentabilidade da cadeia de suprimentos, tendo em vista que foi possível evidenciar a adoção de práticas sustentáveis e de inovação em processos nas empresas Carvão I e Ferro-Níquel. Por outro lado, na empresa Carvão II, o pressuposto orientador do estudo não pôde ser corroborado pelas evidências. Os resultados sugerem que parte das organizações que atuam no setor mineral brasileiro está buscando atender às demandas dos seus stakeholders, principalmente no que se refere ao investimento em ações sustentáveis ligadas as dimensões ambientais e sociais.

The discovery of new mineral species and type minerals from Brazil

Minerals were seen merely as sources of chemicals: iron ore, copper ore, etc. However, minerals are not just chemicals associations, since they display crystal structures. These two features together provide properties that can be technologically useful. Even though a mineral occurs in very small amount, which does not allow its extraction, it can serve as a model for obtaining the synthetic analogue on an industrial scale. It is necessary that a new-mineral proposal be submitted for approval by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) before publication. Only 65 valid mineral species were first described from Brazil, that is, the type minerals from Brazil. Nineteen of these were published between 1789 and 1959 (0.11 per year). From 1959, when the CNMMN (today CNMNC) - IMA was established, to 2000, 18 approved Brazilian mineral species remain valid (0.43 per year). However, the number of type minerals from Brazil approved in the last 15 years (2000 to 2014) was substantially increased: 28 (1.87 per year). This number is very small considering the wide range of Brazilian geological environments. The two first type species from Brazil, discovered in the 18th century, chrysoberyl and euclase, are important gemological minerals. Two other gem minerals, tourmaline-supergroup members, were published only in the 21st century: uvite and fluor-elbaite. Some type minerals from Brazil are very important technologically speaking. Some examples are menezesite, coutinhoite, lindbergite, pauloabibite, and waimirite-(Y).