Environmental impacts of extracting and processing steatite rock: Case study in the municipality of Santa Rita de Ouro Preto

Concerns about the various mineral activities that have an impact on the environment are being increasingly emphasized in the media. Issues such as sustainable development, social and environmental responsibility are frequent subjects of congresses and debates around the world. In this context, the mining sector is responsible for a number of negative environmental impacts, including changes to the landscape due to the removal of ore and waste material, changes to water resources and the emission of dust and noise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental aspects arising from the extraction and processing of steatite rock (soapstone), in the case of the municipality of Santa Rita de Ouro Preto, where employment is low and the population's demand is not met. The extraction of the mineral (soapstone) ends up playing an important social role in the municipality. This way, this work will focus on the extraction of the mineral, which ends up causing different aspects and also impacts on the environment and the health of the workers, due to the irregular exploitation of the mineral.