Proposal of an environmental sustainability index for open-pit mines using landscape fragmentation indicators

Abstract

The perception of the environmental impacts caused by economic activities is subjective and usually negatively affects the image of an extractive sector such as mining. In order to avoid this, the environmental impact assessment must be supported by clear and well-selected environmental indicators. An index of sustainability was created to demonstrate that open-pit mining is comparable to other economic activities. The index is composed by of environmental indicators like water and energy consumption combined with an indicator of landscape fragmentation, using remote sensing data and geoprocessing. A comparative study considering a ten-year period was carried out with the biggest iron ore mine in Brazil, N5W, and the largest Brazilian soybean producer, the Sorriso County, in the Mato Grosso State to illustrate the methodology. Resumo A percepção dos impactos ambientais das atividades econômicas pela sociedade é subjetiva e muitas vezes afeta negativamente a imagem de certos setores econômicos

As paisagens de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais: decodificação no espaço e no tempo

“…7, although having a great forest cover, showed a temporal pattern of total vegetation removal in large areas during mining activities. Silva and Peroni (2015) commented that, when comparing areas under the influence of mining and agriculture activities, the mined areas show less fragmentation in the landscape, which is also noticeable in the subunit PMM.MB (7.1). Even with lower forest fragmentation, it should be emphasized that ecological processes, biodiversity and endemic species become deficient or non-existent after mining.…”

“…(7), respondents expressed a sense of abandonment due to the lack of attention to the district (Miguel Burnier) regarding the quality of life and well-being of the population in that region. According to Silva and Peroni (2015), iron mining activity is essential to the existence of modern society and has high investments in research and development of new techniques to minimize environmental impacts. However, although the mining activity is strong and actively participate in the municipality's revenue, is verified in the subunit SAP.AP (2.1) and mainly PMM.MB (7.1) that few local individuals are directly benefited, most are the only burden provoked by activity, such as dust, noise and the feeling of being rejected by the environment where they live.…”