Spatial analysis of mining areas in terms of compliance with environmental legislation: A case study for the municipality of Caçapava-SP

Spatial analysis of mining areas in regard to environmental legislation: a case study for the municipality of Caçapava - SP, SP

Abstract

Abstract: The Paraíba do Sul River Basin is an important sediment deposit, and this fact, coupled with its strategic location, makes the Paraíba Valley an important source of non-metallic minerals. Although the legislation on mineral extraction is very detailed and restrictive, this factor does not fully guarantee compliance with these legal issues. The purpose of this study is therefore to carry out a spatial analysis of sand mining pits in the municipality of Caçapava, in the state of São Paulo, with regard to compliance with specific legislation. The proposed method consists of identifying and characterizing the mining areas that do not comply with the legal parameters using spatial analysis tools based on distance and intersection. The results show that there are areas that do not comply with the law because they do not meet the minimum distance from urbanized areas, are in environmental protection areas and floodplains. These facts, in addition to the well-known environmental impacts caused by mining activities, pose risks to water bodies and their surroundings. It is concluded that the proposed method is an important tool for constant monitoring of these areas and can help environmental inspection bodies make more restrictive and assertive decisions.

Keywords: Sand Mining. Submerged Pit. Spatial Analysis. Environmental Impacts.