ESTIMATIVA DA PRODUÇÃO DE SEDIMENTOS DA PILHA DE DISPOSIÇÃO DE ESTÉRIL (PDE) CONVAP, COMPLEXO MINERADOR DE ITABIRA (MG)

Estimate of sediment production from the sterile pile (PDE) Convap, Itabira Mining Complex (MG)

Abstract

Improper management in the construction and/or operation of a sterile pile (PDE) can result in negative environmental impacts mainly related to the production of sediment. Since these structures are necessary for the mining activity, this article sought to evaluate the sediment production estimate of the PDE Convap, located in the Minerador Complex of Itabira (MG) through the application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Considering the data from the Cauê rainfall station obtained between 1987 and 2020, an average annual rainfall of 1,627.98 mm was observed, resulting in an annual erosivity of 12,896.34 MJ.mm.ha^-1.h^-1. As for the topographic factor, the values obtained ranged between 0 and 26.4, with the smallest being verified in the region of the CEMIG I reservoir. Data from drilling holes in a PDE neighboring Convap indicate an average erodibility of 0.02679 t.MJ^-1.h.mm^-1. The mainland uses in the analyzed area correspond to degraded pasture (12.2%), water bodies (12.9%), eucalyptus and forests (27.0%) and exposed soil (42.6%). It was noted that the erosion rate of the PDE Convap corresponds to 273,871.5 t.year^-1, with an average of 1,267.9 t.ha^-1.year^-1, being compatible with the Dredging Plan for the CEMIG I Dam, located downstream of this structure.