Brazil, one of the largest ore producers in the world, holds 95% of the world’s quartz reserves. The aim of this research is to enhance mitigation measures in quartz ore exploration common in the Serra do Espinhaço Meridional region through the specific study of a mining venture. The three (3) phases of the study were: (1) characterization of the project under study and evaluation of the impacts generated; (2) evaluation of the economic feasibility of using the waste as a coarse aggregate for concrete production; (3) evaluation of the technical feasibility of reusing this waste through analysis of compressive strength. The results of the study show potential negative impacts on occupational health from the piles of disposed waste, specifically silicosis, caused by silica dust dispersed in the air. In the economic analysis, a decrease of 49.05% was verified in coarse aggregate cost through the use of the residue. The compressive strength of the concrete was 26.80 MPa when quartz residue was used and 29.2 MPa when limestone was used. The quartz residue generated by the venture can be reused as aggregate for the production of concrete, generating improvements in environmental and health aspects.

The ceramic materials industry has vast potential for use of waste from industrial processes, such as iron mining tailings. The aim of this study was to test technological use of tailings samples from the dam rupture of the Samarco S.A. Company in 2015 to produce structural ceramics. Sedimentation and flotation processes were used to improve their characteristics, analyzing their chemical and mineralogical composition and granulometry. We produced 48 samples with a mixture of soil and residues in proportions of 10, 20, and 30 wt%, with sintering at 950 °C. The results showed that co-processing of iron mining tailings can be considered viable for improving certain aspects of some technological properties. The maximum amount of residue used was 30 wt% for any of the fractions used, as above this concentration the specimens lose important characteristics.

Soil pollution by highly toxic metals (such as lead, Pb) derived from human activities has become a serious problem in recent years. Phytoremediation is a technique that uses plants or microorganisms to remedy such toxicity from contaminated soils and water. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the legume Crotalaria juncea as a phytoremediator of lead-contaminated soils. We evaluated plant growth and lead content in the soil andin C. juncea’s leaves and roots. Three treatments with varying concentrations of lead in the soil were evaluated: 0 mg kg-1 (control), 250 mg kg-1, and 500 mg kg-1. Plant growth and plant physical aspects were quantified. Metal concentration in the soil, leaves, and roots was assessed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The species had a survival rate of 100%. The highest content of lead was found in the plants’ roots. Plant growth did not differ significantly among the three treatments, leaf lead concentration did. Crotalaria juncea has potential for lead phytoremediator. In addition, it is a tolerant vegetal and hyperaccumulator of Pb, mainly in the roots, and due to these characteristics its potential for phytoextraction of this metal under field conditions should be evaluated.

A patologia das construções estuda as origens, as formas de ocorrência e as consequências dos problemas (defeitos) nas construções. Sabe-se ainda que as patologias estão sujeitas a aparecer em qualquer tipo de construção, devido a fatores como o não cumprimento de normas técnicas, mão-de-obra desqualificada, mal planejamento, materiais de baixa qualidade, entre outros. Em muitas dessas construções os revestimentos cerâmicos foram utilizados e, em geral, se bem executados e com materiais de qualidade, podem proporcionar principalmente proteção contra agentes agressivos e longa vida útil. Por outro lado, a falta de planejamento pode fazer com que haja trabalhos cíclicos de reparos que acarretam despesas que poderiam ser evitadas. No contexto de Ipatinga, há amplo uso de pastilhas e outros materiais cerâmicos para revestimento, e sua associação com grande número de patologias relacionadas ao descolamento em fachadas chamou a atenção. Dessa forma, este trabalho expõe a análise das principais origens desse problema, bem como a caracterização das patologias conexas e destaque de suas consequências