The planned removal of vegetation and organic soil takes place
during the first stage of bauxite mining. After removal of the muck
soil (clay and laterite), bauxite is exposed and its processing consists
of crushing it to reduce particle size and washing the ore with water
to reduce, when required, the silica content existing in the finer
particles.
After mined, the exploited areas go through a recovery process.
The sterile layer is removed during mining and the waste arising
from bauxite processing is used for soil recovery, following with the original
topography.
Planning
Currently used bauxite exploitation processes
are planned to streamline the mining operation
and to create conditions for the replanting
of native species and reforestation of the
mined area. In the international aluminum
industry, 95% of the mining companies have
recovery plans for the exploited deposits.
The
companies devoted to bauxite mining in Brazil
operate responsibly in the use of natural
resources, by adopting processes compatible
with environment protection during mining, and by
recovering the mined areas, overcoming challenges
such as the restoration of important ecosystems.
In
the last three years, 60% of the mined bauxite
areas in Brazil were recovered and returned
to their original use of native forests, and in some
cases, recovered and put to other uses.
In order to
ensure biodiversity, the companies maintain
their own nurseries for the production of seedlings.
Over 100 species are used for soil revegetation, out
of which 48% are native species.
Environment Management System ( EMS )
The EMS helps companies to develop their operations
considering criteria consistent with
environment protection.
A recent survey conducted
by the International Aluminium Institute
(IAI), found progress in the recovery of
bauxite mines in different climates, topographies
and ecologic conditions: 70% of the areas
are returning to the condition of native forests;
17% for pasture and agricultural uses; 3% for commercial
forests; and the remaining 10% are used for urban,
housing and recreational areas. The survey included
27 locations of mines in the world, which represent
71% of the world bauxite production, and included
all Brazilian mining companies.
The Brazilian aluminum
industry has been recognized for various
initiatives arising from the application
of high standard policies and practices,
considering that today, 60% of the bauxite mined areas
in Brazil have already been recovered and returned,
almost fully, to their original use.
Related areas
The Industry
Production processes
Refining processes
Smelting processes |
