Historical Potential of Pollution in the Brazilian Mining Industry

Abstract: The history of environmental disasters involving the mining industry in Brazil has not been very favorable to the sector. The rupture of tailings dams has been a recurring disaster, where the country has recently felt the consequences of the overload of the mining industry for the supply of raw materials to the sector on a global scale. In this context, the country has experienced impacts in the socio-environmental, economic spheres, and in public health, raising important questions regarding the model of economic and social development adopted in the world. Reflections and measures must be taken to strategically improve living standards to make the sector more sustainable.