Análise antropogeomorfológica em geossítio da história da mineração: estudo nas Minas do Camaquã – RS

Abstract

This research was carried out with the purpose of identifying and analyzing the temporal-spatial evolution of landscape forms, with emphasis on the anthropogenic features, of the Minas do Camaquã Geosite Coverage Area (RS), in order to subsidize the conservation of the geoheritage in the study area. The methodological procedures which enabled reaching the general goal were: (1) survey of specialized bibliography which enabled analyzing the possibilities of articulation of the anthropogeomorphological approach and the main the work techniques linked to this approach with the principles of geoconservation; (2) environmental diagnosis of the Minas do Camaquã Geosite Coverage Area, carried out from the mapping of the covering dynamics and uses of the land in accord with the analysis of the features of the physical-environmental environment and the historical process of occupation of the area; (3) temporal geomorphological mapping which comprise three distinct periods: (a) original morphologies, (b) active disturbance phase; (c) anthropogenic morphologies; and (4) selection of points of most interest for the elaboration of interpretative panels. The environmental diagnosis highlighted the existence of a scenario with significant interventions arising from the historical process of occupation on the geodiversity, where the use of the land linked to the mining activities was crucial for the disfigurement of the natural landscape found there. These changes contributed for the formation of an anthropogenic landscape which has exceptional aesthetic, touristic, scientific, historic-cultural and teaching value, and should be explored so that it can be understood by tourists, researchers, students and people interested in immersing in the history of the activities which lead to the setting-up of these forms in a short period of time.Areas with preserved physical-environmental characteristics were recognized, which are now threatened by the advance of the Caçapava do Sul Project from Votorantim Metais for the mining of zinc, copper and lead, planned to begin in 2019. Finally, we highlight that the geoconservation should go beyond the understanding of the natural landscape forms, since the anthropogenic forms act in the a sense of telling the history of the active and inactive mining processes, and, therefore, have a relevant importance concerning the combination of abiotic and socioeconomic elements. At the end of the research an interpretative panel was elaborated to public and private organizations with the purpose of seeking alternatives for its implementation, in order to promote geotourism aimed at the exploitation of the geoheritage of the Minas do Camaquã Coverage Area.