Explota o de rochas ornamentais e meio ambiente

Despite of the mining activities being fundamental for the economy of many countries, including Brazil, its development does not occur without some kind of environmental degradation. Mineral resources are not renewable, so, once extracted, they cannot be replaced. In other words, they must be used in a correct and responsible way, aimed at a sustainable development. In this way, among other things, it is necessary that mining companies foresee the treatment and disposal of waste generated or even its return to the environment. Thus the main objective of this paper is to present the different types of ornamen-tal stone mines, its methods and its implications on the environment. Throughout this work, the main environmental impacts caused by mining of ornamental stones are presented, as well as the importance of rehabilitation of the degraded areas. A better extraction planning of ornamental stones would define more precisely the economic viability of the enterprise and would reduce the negative environmental impacts. In addition, the end of the irregularities would be possible with the intensification of public policy, monitoring and enforcement.