Spatial Analysis of the Urban Area and the Mining Area: Case study of the municipality of Itabira (Minas Gerais)

Open-pit mining has a considerable impact on socio-spatial configuration. In Brazil, concerns about the impacts of mining on the environment and spatial modification began in the 1990s. In this context, this research aimed to analyze the evolution of the mining area and the urban sprawl in the municipality of Itabira over 22 years (1985, 1997 and 2007). To this end, the research was supported by geotechnological tools, which streamlined data processing, the organization of the alphanumeric database and representation in maps, graphs and histograms. The results showed that in all the years analyzed, the mining area exceeded the urban area. It is noticeable that mining is being directed closer to the built-up area, becoming an attribute that contributes to the increase in socio-spatial conflicts. We also observed the degradation of the drainage network in areas of ore tailings deposits, which surround the mining area and the urban area. As a result, this book draws attention to the environmental degradation caused by mining and the intensification of socio-spatial conflicts in the municipality of Itabira.