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APPLICATION DOSSIER OF THE

QUADRILATERO FERRIFERO GEOPARK TO THE

GLOBAL UNESCO NETWORK OF GEOPARKS

Government of the State of Minas Gerais

State Secretary of Science, Technology and

Higher Education of Minas Gerais

Mineral and Metallurgic Pole of Excellence

Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark Promoting Group

Minas Gerais - Brazil

December 2010

GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF MINAS GERAIS

Antonio Augusto Junho Anastasia, Governor

STATE SECRETARY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HIGHER EDUCATION OF MINAS GERAIS

Alberto Duque Portugal, Secretary

MINERAL AND METALLURGIC POLE OF EXCELLENCE

Renato Ribeiro Ciminelli, Executive Manager

QUADRILÁTERO FERRÍFERO GEOPARK

PROMOTING GROUP

Federal University of Minas Gerais (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais – UFMG)

Federal University of Ouro Preto (Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP)

Fundation Center for Technology of Minas Gerais (Fundação Centro Tecnológico de Minas Gerais – CETEC)

Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM(Serviço Geológico do Brasil – CPRM)

Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais - PUC Minas)

Prosecuting Counsel of the State of Minas Gerais (Ministério Público do Estado de Minas Gerais)

State Institute of Forests (Instituto Estadual de Florestas – IEF)

State Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Instituto Estadual do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico de Minas Gerais – IEPHA)

State Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Minas Gerais (Secretaria de Estado de Ciência, Tecnologia

e Ensino Superior de Minas Gerais - SECTES)

State Secretary of Tourism of Minas Gerais (Secretaria de Estado de Turismo de Minas Gerais – SETUR)

The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional – IPHAN)

QUADRILÁTERO FERRÍFERO GEOPARK PROMOTING GROUP

GENERAL SUPERVISION

Renato Ribeiro Ciminelli - State Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Minas Gerais/Mineral and

Metallurgic Pole of Excellence

Octávio Elísio Alves de Brito - Federal University of Minas Gerais

EXECUTIVE SUPERVISION

Ana Paula Bax

SCIENTIFIC-TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Federal University of Minas Gerais

Prof. Dr. Úrsula Ruchkys de Azevedo

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Ewald Renger

Prof. Dr. Maria Márcia Magela Machado

Federal University of Ouro Preto

Prof. Dr. Paulo de Tarso Amorim Castro

Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM

Dr. Carlos Schobbenhaus

Prof. Dr. Marco Antônio Fonseca

Décio Antônio Chaves Beato

Sérgio Lima

Augusto José de C.L. Pedreira da Silva

Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais

Prof. Msc. Miguel Ângelo Andrade

SPONSORS

Federal University of Minas Gerais (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais – UFMG)

Federal University of Ouro Preto (Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP)

Fundation Center for Technology of Minas Gerais (Fundação Centro Tecnológico de Minas Gerais – CETEC)

Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM(Serviço Geológico do Brasil – CPRM)

Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais - PUC Minas)

Prosecuting Counsel of the State of Minas Gerais (Ministério Público do Estado de Minas Gerais)

State Institute of Forests (Instituto Estadual de Florestas – IEF)

State Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Instituto Estadual do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico de Minas Gerais – IEPHA)

State Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Minas Gerais (Secretaria de Estado de Ciência, Tecnologia

e Ensino Superior de Minas Gerais)

State Secretary of Tourism of Minas Gerais (Secretaria de Estado de Turismo de Minas Gerais – SETUR -MG)

The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional – IPHAN)

CONTRIBUTORS

Rose Lane Guimarães

Rodrigo Tinoco

Isaac Abraão Silva

Lana Iracy Duarte da Cunha

Mayana Silva Vinti

APA: Environmental Protected Area (Área de Proteção Ambiental)

CECO: The Center for Studies of the Gold Cycle (Centro de Estudos do Ciclo do Ouro)

CETEC: Fundation Center for Technology of Minas Gerais (Fundação Centro Tecnológico de Minas Gerais)

CONAMA: National Environment Council (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente)

COPAM: Environmental Policy Council of Minas Gerais (Conselho de Política Ambiental de Minas Gerais)

CPRM: Geological Survey of Brazil (Serviço Geológico do Brasil– CPRM)

DNPM: National Department of Mineral Production (Departamento Nacional da Produção Mineral )

FAPEMIG: Research Support Foundation for the State of Minas Gerais (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas

Gerais)

FEAM: Environment State Foundation – Minas Gerais (Fundação Estadual do Meio Ambiente – Minas Gerais)

FIEMG: Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (Federação das Indústrias do Estado de Minas Gerais)

GEF: Global Environmental Fund

IEF: State Institute of Forests (Instituto Estadual de Florestas)

IEPHA: State Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Instituto Estadual do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico de Minas Gerais)

IGAM: Water Management Institute of Minas Gerais (Instituto Mineiro de Gestão da Águas)

Internal Revenue Service (Receita Federal)

IPHAN: The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional

MG: Minas Gerais

Mineral and Metallurgic Pole of Excellence (Pólo de Excelência Mineral e Metalúrgico)

Ministry of Environment (Ministério do Meio Ambiente)

Ministry of Finance (Ministério da Fazenda)

NGO: Non-governmental Organization (ONG-Organização Não Governamental)

OSCIP: Organization of Civil Society for Public Interests (Organização da Sociedade Civil de Interesse Público)

PRONABIO: National Program for Biological Diversity Conservation (Programa Nacional para a Preservação da Diversidade Biológica)

PUC Minas: Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais)

Lista de Instituições, Organizações e Siglas

SEBRAE: Support Service for Micro and Small Business (Serviço de Apoio à Pequena e Micro Empresa)

SECTES: State Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Minas Gerais (Secretaria Estadual de Ciência,

Tecnologia, e Ensino Superior de Minas Gerais)

SEC: State Secretary of Culture of Minas Gerais (Secretaria de Estado da Cultura de Minas Gerais)

SEMAD: State Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development of Minas Gerais (Secretaria de Estado de Meio Ambiente e

Desenvolvimento Sustentável de Minas Gerais)

SENAC: National Service of Commercial Learning (Serviço Nacional de Aprendizado Comercial)

SETUR: State Secretary of Tourism of Minas Gerais (Secretaria de Estado de Turismo de Minas Gerais)

SIGEP: Brazilian Committee for Geological and Paleobiological Sites (Comissão Brasileira de Sítios Geológicos e Paleobiológicos)

SNUC: National System of Conservation Units (Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação)

UFMG: Federal University of Minas Gerais (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)

UFOP: Federal University of Ouro Preto (Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto)

UFRJ: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro)

UnB: University of Brasília (Universidade de Brasília)

UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Organização das Nações Unidas para a Educação, a Ciência

e a Cultura)

UNESP: State University of São Paulo at Rio Claro (Universidade Estadual de São Paulo – Rio Claro)

UNICAMP: University of Campinas (Universidade Estadual de Campinas)

USGS: U.S. Geological Survey (Serviço Geológico dos Estados Unidos)

USP: University of São Paulo (Universidade de São Paulo)

Contents

A – Identification of the Area > 1

1. Name > 1

2. Surface area, physical and human geography

characteristics > 1

3. Organization in charge and management

structure > 2

4. Application contact person > 5

B – Geological Heritage > 6

1. Location> 6

2. General geological description > 7

3. Listing and description of geological sites >13

4. Details on the interest of these sites in terms

of their international, national, regional or

local value >20

C – Geoconservation > 22

1. Current or potential pressure > 22

2. Current status in terms of protection of

geological sites> 22

3. Data on the management and maintenance of

these sites > 22

4. Listing and description of non-geological sites

and how they are integrated into the proposed

Geopark > 22

D - Economic Activity & Business Plan > 27

1. Economic activity >27

2. Existing and planned facilities >27

3. Analysis of geotourism potential >31

4. Overview and policies for the sustainable

development of: > 33

- geo-tourism and economy

- geo-education

- geo-heritage

5. Policies for, and examples of, community

empowerment (involvement and

Consultation > 35

6. Policies for, and examples of, public and

stakeholder awareness > 35

E – Interest and arguments for joining the GGN > 37

1. Scientific Support > 37

2. Governmental Programs: Circuito do Ouro,

Estrada Real > 38

3. National and international scientific

Relevance > 38

4. UNESCO presence in the geopark > 38

REFERENCES > 40

English: Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark

Portuguese: Geopark Quadrilátero Ferrífero

Identifiction of the Area

1. Name

As described by Barbosa & Rodrigues (1967), the Quadrilátero Ferrífero - QF – corresponds to a geological block from the

Precambrian epoch whose contours were revealed by differential erosion. Thus,quartzites and itabirites form crests in altitudes

between 1,300 and 1,600 meters. These crests correspond to the alignment of the Curral Range to the North, of the Ouro Branco

Range to the South, of the Moeda Range to the West, and of the block formed by the Caraça Range, and the beginning of the

Espinhaço Range (Serra do Espinhaço) to the North. This structure is already observed in the map elaborated by Claussen in

1840 (Map 5).

The influence of altitude variations favors the appearance of microclimates presenting temperature and humidity quite

different from the annual mean temperature of the region, which is approximately 20°C, and annual mean precipitation ranging

from 1,300mm to 2,100mm. The predominantly hot-tempered climate of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero is marked by two well-defined

seasons: dry winter and wet summer (Silva, 2007). The headwaters of two large hydrographic basins – São Francisco River Basin

(Bacia do Rio São Francisco), and Doce River Basin (Bacia do Rio Doce) - are located in the region and supply water to the

Metropolitan Area of Belo Horizonte. Geologic structures influence the course of rivers, forming stretches of cascades, and deep

valleys. This occurs mainly in the Velhas River (Rio das Velhas), where the variations in the altitude of the relief are remarkable.

(Barbosa & Rodrigues, 1967).

2. Surface area, physical and human geography characteristics

2.1. Physiographic aspects

1

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero spreads across a region of vegetal

covering which shares the biomes the Brazilian Tropical Savanna (Cerrado)

and the Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlântica). The wide diversity of

hydrological, pedological, topographical, geological, and geomorphological

features, as previously observed, creates sufficient conditions for the

existence of a great floristic diversity in the region, with a variety of biota,

especially seasonal forests, semi-deciduous forests, montane, and submon-

tane.

Although it was formerly well-distributed, it should be observed that the Atlantic Rainforest biome is nowadays extremely

degraded, restricted to isoladed fragments of vegetation. The Brazilian Tropical Savanna biome is constituted by a mosaic of

phytophysiognomies, where forest areas as ciliary forests, gallery forests, open areas including campo limpo (field with sparse

vegetation), campo sujo (dirty field), campo cerrado (cerrado field) as well as intermediate areas as cerradão (cerrado

woodlands) and cerrado sensu stricto are observed. A typical physiognomy of the Brazilian Tropical Savanna - the campo

rupestre(fields of altitude in iron ore ranges) – is characteristic in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. It usually occurs at altitudes over

900 meters, on rocky outcrops, presenting sandy, fine or pebbly soil, poor in nutrients and organic matter, and low capacity

to retain water.

2.2. Biological aspects, bioma

Miguel Andrade

2.3. Human aspects

The population of the area proposed for the Geopark is of approximately 3,154,506 inhabitants, and since the discovery of

gold at the end of the 17th century to present the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero has the largest urban concentration of

the state of Minas Gerais. In its northern part, the state capital of Belo Horizonte has nearly 2.4 million inhabitants. The cities of

the region have a population of about 22% of the state population, and they are responsible for 26.8% of the GDP for the state

of Minas Gerais.

2

Application Dossier Geopark Quadrilatero Ferrifero Project

Secretaria de Estado da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior de Minas Gerais - SECTES MG

Cidade Administrativa Presidente Tancredo Neves - Rodovia Prefeito Américo Gianetti, s/n Bairro Serra Verde | Edifício Gerais -

8 º. Andar CEP 31,630-901 Belo Horizonte - Minas Gerais Brasil

3. Organization in charge and management structure

As the potential of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero for the comprehension of the Earth Sciences and the mining history is widely

accepted, evaluation studies on the potential of this region to become a Geopark from UNESCO which was initially proposed by

the Geopark Project of the Brazilian Geologocal Survey – CPRM (Schobbenhaus 2006) have been performed since 2006. One of

the pioneer studies was the PhD thesis entitled “Geological heritage and geoconservation in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero:

potential to create a Geopark from UNESCO” (Ruchkys 2007), submitted at the UFMG. In this very year, the Mineral and

Metallurgic Pole of Excellence from State Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Minas Gerais – SECTES,

issued the Public Notice Number 14-2007 Network of Mineral Technologies by which the Research Support Foundation of Minas

Gerais – FAPEMIG approved a project aiming selection and establishment of pilot sites to create the Quadrilátero Ferrífero

Geopark. The project was launched with the „Seminar Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark: a new perspective of use for the

geoscientific heritage‟ which included lectures held by UNESCO representatives, by the Brazilian Geological Survey (Serviço

Geológico do Brasil – CPRM), by universities, by mining companies, by NGOs, and by the Araripe Geopark in Brazil. After this

seminar, many communications were presented at renowned events for the diffuse proposal, as well as workshops for the

communities surrounding some geological sites. In April 2009, the Promoting Group of Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark was

created by the State Government, which, under the supervision of SECTES/Mineral and Metallurgic Pole of Excellence, promoted

the necessary political articulations for the effective proposal of the Geopark to the State Government.

3.1. History of the proposition of the Geopark

The territorial management systems have become considerably more complex in Brazil. The model recommended by UNESCO

for the creation of geoparks is innovative and the State of Minas Gerais pioneered in proposing the compatibility of conservation

and scientific education with the economical activity, signalizing a commitment of the State Government as a promoter of the

economical, social, and environmental development.

3.2. Management Proposal

3

The Geopark is managed by the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark Promoting Group connected with the SECTES. Associated

with the Promoting Group is the continuous Forum of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark with the participation of

representatives from the national civil society (NGO, a non-profitable organization, Organization of Civil Society for Public

Interests – OSCIP, Foundations, Scientific Societies), from the universities, the entrepreneur segment, municipalities, and from

the state government.

Position Name

General Supervision Renato Ribeiro Ciminelli Octávio Elísio Alves de Brito

Executive Supervision Ana Paula Bax

Scientific Supervision of Scienti-fic-Technical Committee

Prof. Dr. Úrsula Ruchkys de Azevedo Prof. Dr. Friedrich Ewald Renger Prof. Dr. Maria Márcia Magela Machado Prof. Dr. Paulo de Tarso Amorim Castro Dr. Carlos Schobbenhaus

Consulting Council Fundation Center for Technology of Minas Gerais - CETEC Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais - PUC Minas Prosecuting Counsel of the State of Minas Gerais State Institute of Forests - IEF State Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage - IEPHA State Secretary of Tourism of Minas Gerais - SETUR

The Quadrilátero Institute, which will be in charge of the geopark management, is being created. This institute is a

non-profit private entity and will hold as an objective “to develop and to promote actions related to the integrated territorial

development of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero presenting sustainable social, economical, cultural, and environmental bases”.

The system of management of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark is comprised of Management Committee, Instituto

Quadrilátero and sites that are managed independently:

1. Management Committee - With headquarters in the Fundação Centro Tecnológico de Minas Gerais - CETEC, the Committee

evolves of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark Promoting Group, who are initially responsible for supporting and proposing the

implementation of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark.

The Management Committee establishes and monitors the guidelines of the installation and functioning of Geopark. The

guidelines are executed for the Geopark QF Operações entailed to the Instituto Quadrilátero. The powers of the Committee

Manager are to elaborate Start-up Guidelines for the Geopark, to control the performance of the Guidelines, to support the

4


Management of the Geopark via its Technical Chambers (Scientist, Tourism, Socio-environmental, Culture and Education), to

establishing the rules for communication of the Geopark with the society

This Committee will be consolidated in the following two months evolving from the current Promoting Group.

2. The Instituto Quadrilátero - A private organisation without lucrative ends, that in 2006 received of Government of

the State of Minas Gerais the qualification of Organisation of the Civil Society of Public Interest (OSCIP), which qua-

lifies it to act as a partner also in governmental projects.

The Instituto is responsible for management of the Geopark and has the objective to develop and to promote actions

connected to the comprehensive territorial development of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero with social, economic, cultural and

sustainable environmental bases. The Instituto Quadrilátero, via Division Geopark QF Operações, validates the cooperation

agreements with the institutions managing of the sites, supports all activities related to the implementation and operation of the

Geopark, including capturing resources in Brazil and abroad. The tasks of Geopark QF Operações are:

a. Drawing up the procedures that to do work the guidelines of the Management Committee for the operation of Geopark;

b. Articulate the cooperation agreements to be signed with the institutions managing of sites;

c. Attract resources and partners;

d. Elaborate reports on the operation of Geopark for the Management Committee;

e. Administrate the programs of training of managers of sites;

f. Coordinate the development continues of new content and new exhibitions;

g. Establish procedures to finance sites and monitors them;

h. Define the design of products associated with the Geopark; and

i. Mobilise the communities and visitors on specific campaigns, among other functions.

5

3. The sites are managed independently by each institution and follow the procedures established by Geopark QF

Operações.

3.3. Mechanisms for establishing the geopark

The mechanisms for establishing the geopark and the regulation of human activities in the sites proposed are conditioned

to the Brazilian legislation. The majority of the geological sites proposed coincides with previously created conservation units

recognized by the federal and state entities where the environmental agencies belonging to the system SEMAD: IGAM, FEAM, and

IEF, along with COPAM, participate in the processes of environmental control, monitoring, and regulations. As it concerns an area

of great mineral importance, the DNPM plays a strong role in the control and release of areas for mining, according to legal

conditions. The mining sector is experiencing a new moment of environmental responsibility and has pointed to the

environmental compensations performing convenient actions towards the implementation of centers and programs of

environmental education, and interpretation which may be developed in the sites proposed for the geopark.

6


Regarding the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, the performance of outstanding entrepreneurs as Vale (main Brazilian mining

company), Açominas (iron and steel metallurgy), and AngloGold (gold mining) among others, is remarkable.

The federal legislation that regulates the use of natural resources - Forest Code Law 4,771/65 and Law 5,197/67 of Fauna

Protection, and CONAMA resolution 13/90, relating to the 10km buffer zone around the Conservation Units - UCs, set bounds to

the use of resources, determine the creation of UCs at a government level, demarcate legal preservation areas within private

properties, as well as economical activities permitted around the Conservation Units (SEMAD, 2005). Law 6,902 of April 27, 1981

institutes the Environmental Protected Areas - APAs, provide legal mechanisms for the management of soil and human activities

in private areas, entrusting the environmental agency with the duty of managing the licensing of these activities. It should be

emphasized that the area proposed for the Geopark is part of the Southern Environmental Protected Area of the Belo Horizonte

Metropolitan Region - APA Sul RMBH.

Special Premise

The installation of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark sites in areas under mineral exploration rights will be allways

progressed after the owners approval and the proposed strategy by the Promoting Group is to invite these private owners to led

the site installation, management, and sponsoring.

4. Application contact person

Name: Renato Ribeiro Ciminelli

Position: Coordenador Geral

Tel. +55 31. 3915 5091 | +55 31. 3915 4970

Fax: +55 31. 3915 5123

Email:[email protected]

7

B – Geological Heritage

1. Localização

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero – QF is located in the mid-southeast portion of the State of Minas Gerais taking an

approximatearea of 7,000km2. According to Dorr (1969), this region was thus denominated by Gonzaga de Campos due to the

deposits of iron ore which occur in the area that presents as vertexes the cities of Itabira, to the northeast, Mariana, to the

southeast, Congonhas, to the southwest, and Itaúna, to the northwest (Map 1).

Map1

1. Location

8


The area proposed for the Geopark covers: Curral Range (Serra do Curral) to the North from the Rola Moça Range

(Serra do Rola Moça) to the Piedade Range (Serra da Piedade), Moeda Range (Serra da Moeda) to the West; Ouro Branco Range

(Serra de Ouro Branco), Itatiaia Range (Serra do Itatiaia), Itacolomi Peak (Pico do Itacolomi) to the south; Passagem /

Matacavalos /Mariana, Antônio Pereira, Frazão Peak (Pico do Frazão), Caraça Range (Serra do Caraça), Tamanduá Range (Serra

do Tamanduá), Brucutú Peak (Pico do Brucutú), Cambotas Range (Serra das Cambotas), Piedade mountain range to the east,

comprising an approximate area of 5,900 km², involving several municipalities whose economy is based on mineral extraction and

metallurgy. This region benefits from a privileged location, for it is partly situated in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte

(capital of the state of Minas Gerais), providing therefore good access options. It includes the municipalities of São Gonçalo do

Rio Abaixo, Barão de Cocais, Santa Bárbara, Catas Altas, Alvinópolis, Mariana, Ouro Preto, Ouro Branco, Congonhas, Belo Vale,

Moeda, Itabirito, Rio Acima, Brumadinho, Mario Campos, Sarzedo, Ibirité, Nova Lima, Raposos, Sabará, Caeté, Belo Horizonte,

Santa Luzia in the state of Minas Gerais. The geographical coordinates (Map 2) limiting the polygonal boundary in that the

Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark area inserted are:

1) Point 1: Lat.19°41'44"S/ Long. 44°11'52"W

2) Point 2: Lat.19°41'60"S/ Long. 43°12'50" W

3) Point 3: Lat.20°37'56"S/ Long. 43°11'39" W

4) Point 4: Lat.20°38'42"S/ Long. 44°12'90" W

1.1 – Area proposed for the Geopark

9

The geoscientific interest in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero is well expressed by the quantity of works developed in the region,

which were initiated through the research work developed by Vieira Couto and afterwards by Wilhelm Ludwig vonEschwege, who

published several works on the mineral wealth of Minas Gerais in Europe from 1811 to1833. Besides Eschwege, the Bavarian

naturalists Spix and Martius as well as the travellers Mawe, Burton and Saint-Hilaire published interesting observations about

the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. In 1876, the School of Mines of Ouro Preto,

which enabled the multiplication of studies and publications on the

Quadrilátero Ferrífero including papers published in other languages and

disseminated in foreign countries, was inaugurated. The French mineralo-

gist Henry Gorceix was appointed director of the School of Mines, which

soon became an internationally highly regarded school. The detailed geo-

logical knowledge of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, regarding its

geological cartography, was compiled by the Program of Geological

Mapping conducted by the USGS and DNPM from 1945 to 1962. As a result

of these works, maps containing more than 40 sheets at a scale of 1:25,000

were presented in a series of publications, summarized by Dorr at a scale

of 1:150,000 in 1969. In the final summary, the author presents a stratigra-

phic column for the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, which with some corrections,

is still in use (Dorr, 1969).

2. General geological description

2.1 – Evolution of the geoscientific knowledge

Miguel Andrade

Piedade Range

10


The geological context of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero is characterized by three large sets of rocks: metamorphic complexes of

Archean crystalline rocks; sequences of Archean greenstone belts represented by the Rio das Velhas Supergroup and Paleo and

Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary sequences represented by the Minas Supergroup, Sabará Group, Itacolomi Group, and

Espinhaço Supergroup (Map 2).

2.2 – Geological context

Map2

The metamorphic complexes of Archean crystalline rocks are formed by a different lithologies diversity exposed in the

adjacencies and in the central portion of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. They are structured in domes and constitute of

polydeformed gneisses with tonalite to granite composition and subordinately, granites, granodiorites, amphibolites, and

ultramafic rocks, generated in the Archean and remobilized during Proterozoic events (Herz 1970, Cordani et al. 1980, Machado

et al. 1989, Belo de Oliveira & Teixeira 1990, Romano et al. 1992, Machado & Carneiro 1992, Noce 1995).

11

The Rio das Velhas Supergroup is considered by Almeida (1977) and Schorscher (1986) a greenstone belt sequence.

According to Dorr (1969), the rocks that form this unit are composed by the Nova Lima and Maquiné groups. Since then, severa l

proposals of lithostratigraphic denomination and division have been presented for this supergroup. Despite the divergences

regarding the subdivisions, there is consensus that the Rio das Velhas Supergroup is composed by the two original groups

defined by Dorr (1969): Nova Lima and Maquiné. The Nova Lima Group is the basal unit of the Rio das Velhas Supergroup and is

constituted by phyllites, graphite phyllites, chlorite-schists, sericite-schists, metagraywackes, mafic, and ultramafic rocks, iron

formations of the Algoma type, metacherts, and dolomites. Some informal lithostratigraphic units are proposed by Ladeira

(1980), Oliveira et al. (1983), Belo de Oliveira (1986), Vieira & Oliveira (1988), and Vieira et al. (1991). According to Noce (1995), the

difficulty to establish lithostratigraphic units acceptable for the whole Nova Lima Group is due to the intense deformation,

alteration processes, and deep weathering associated with the lack of a more detailed cartography in many areas. In 1996, the

DNPM and the CPRM concluded the Rio das Velhas Project, which aimed at mapping the Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt in the

Quadrilátero Ferrífero at a scale required for prospection and mineral exploration. Mapping was conducted on 27 sheets, at the

scale 1:25,000 and summarized in a geological map at the scale 1:100,000. In this work, the rocks of the Rio das Velhas

Supergroup were grouped in associations of lithofacies genetically related. The Nova Lima Group is formed by the following

associations, from the bottom to the top: (1) metavolcanic-plutonic mafic-ultramafic; (2) chemical metavolcano-sedimentary; (3)

chemical pelitic metasedimentary; (4) clastic metavolcano-sedimentary; (5) marine clastic metasedimentary (resedimented)

association.

The Maquiné Group is the top unit of the Rio das Velhas River Supergroup occurring restricted to the mid-east portion of

the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. According to Dorr (1969), this group is composed by the following formations, from the bottom to the

top: Palmital, constituted by sericitic quartzites, quartzose phyllites, and phyllites; and Casa Forte, originally defined by Gair

(1962), constituted by sericitic quartzites, schists, and phyllites. In the Rio das Velhas Project, previously mentioned, the Maquiné

Group was recognized as a non-marine clastic metasedimentary association presenting a coastal facies (Palmital Formation), and

a fluvial one (Casa Forte Formation).

12


The Minas Supergroup was originally denominated as Minas “Series”, by Derby (1906). Since then its stratigraphic

organization has remained essentially the same, composed by three Groups: Caraça, Itabira, and Piracicaba (Dorr 1969). This unit

usually overlay rocks belonging to the metamorphic complexes and to the Rio das VelhasSupergroup in tectonic contact. The

Caraça Group, base of this unit, presents the Moeda Formation in the lower part and

the Batatal Formation in the upper part. The Moeda Formation contains quartzites

with intercalations of phyllites and conglom erate levels. Either ferruginous or carbo-

naceous sericitic phyllites predominate within the Batatal Formation. The intermediate

unit consists of the Itabira Group constituted by a sequence of chemical metasedi-

ments, the basal Cauê Formation overlain by the Gandarela Formation. The Cauê For-

mation is composed of itabirite, dolomitic itabirite, ferruginous dolomite, and phyllite.

The Gandarela Formation is formed by dolomites, dolomitic phyllite, and siliceous dolo-

mite. The Piracicaba Group is the upper unit presenting the following formations

from the bottom to the top: Cercadinho, Fecho do Funil, Taboões, and Barreiro. The

Cercadinho Formation is characterized by the alternation of quartzites and phyllites,

frequently ferruginous. Phyllites, dolomitic phyllites, and dolomite lenses form the

Fecho do Funil Formation. The fine-grained orthoquartzites found in the Taboões

Formation and the phyllites and graphite phyllites found in the Barreiros Formation

have restricted occurrence.

The Sabará Group corresponds to the Sabará Formation (Dorr 1969) ele-

vated to the category of Group by Renger et al. (1994). It is formed by chlorite schists and phyllites, metagraywackes,

conglomerates, quartzites, and rare ferriferous formations. Its rocks outcrop along practically the entire Quadrilátero Ferrífero,

except for the Moeda Syncline.

The Itacolomi Group, restricted to the southeast and south portions of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, is constituted by

quartzites, conglomerate quartzites, and conglomerate lenses with itabirite, phyllite, quartzite, and pebbles of vein quartz.

The Espinhaço Supergroup occurs in the northeast portion of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, represented by the quartzites from the

Cambotas Range. According to Crocco-Rodrigues (1991), the stratigraphic position of this unit, initially correlated with the

Tamanduá Group by Simmons & Maxwell (1961), has always been controversial, as it includes distinct rock sequences tectonically

juxtaposed.

Daniel Mansur

Mangabeiras Park

13

In the regional geological context of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, besides the stratigraphic

sequence previously described, it is also important to mention the presence of basic and

metabasic intrusive rocks which cut the supracrustal sequences and the granite-gneiss terrains,

especially to the west of Belo Horizonte, as well as in the Caraça Range.

Itabitito Peak

Miguel Andrade

2.3 – Geological history

A variety of tectonic models have been proposed to explain the complex pattern for years. Among the main

models, the works of Alkmim & Marshak (1998) should be emphasized. Based on results of structural studies and

evaluating compiled data, they suggest that the Quadrilátero Ferrífero has undergone four phases of

deformation. These authors present a summary of the tectonic evolution of this region:

(1) Formation of Archean granite-greenstone terrains: the

most ancient crystalline rock basements are aged 3,200 Ma. All

the fragments of continental crust from this time form the

basement onwhich the sedimentary and greenstone successions

were deposited between 2,800-2,700Ma (Rio das Velhas

Supergroup). The granitoid plutonism created a classical Archean

granite-greenstone belt with granite-gnaisse domes surrounded

by portions of greenstone.

(2) Formation of the Minas Basin: between 2,600 and 2,400

Ma, the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero passed from a con-

tinental platform to a passive margin basin. The beginning of this

basin represents an extensional event, as indicated by the facies

and the environments of deposition of the Caraça Group (Renger

et al. 1993);

Mangabeiras Park

Daniel Mansur

Casa Bandeirante

Daniel Mansur

14


(3) Transamazonic Event: approximately at 2,100 Ma, the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero was involved by a

fold-and-thrust belt with northwest vergence, resulting in the

development of shear and foldzones at a regional scale, as well as,

subordinately, in parasitic folds. The development of the

Transamazonic fold-and-thrust belt occurred immediately after the

deposition of the Sabará Group at 2,125 Ma.

(4) Transamazonic Orogenic Collapse: between 2,095 and 2,051Ma,

an extensional regime was established regionally with the development

of dome-and-keel structures.

(5) Espinhaço Rift: the formation of the Espinhaço Basin, to the

north, is reflected in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero with the intrusion of

diabase dikes at about 1,750Ma. Enabling the formation of an oceanic

basin, extensional development occurs between 1,000 and 900Ma

(Pedrosa Soares et al. 1992).

(6) Brasiliano Event: the second contractional event occurred between 700 and 430Ma and created a fold-and-thrust

belt of west vergence reactivating old structures of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. This event represents one of the last

collisional orogens that formed the supercontinent Gondwana also resulting in the reactivation of shear and fault zones

bordering the domes with westward trends.

Waterfall in Belo Vale

Source: CPRM

15

The region proposed for the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark is

historically marked by the development of activities related to the

extraction of mineral resources. In the 16th century, the Portuguese effort

to conquer mineral wealth in the Americas and to accomplish fast success

as the spaniards in Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia concentrated on two

strategies: the ncessant search to access gold and silver reported by he

natives, especially along the Paraguai and Amazon iver and the Bandeiran-

tes¹ expeditions through the Brazilian middle-eastern hinterlands. History

demonstrated that the second strategy turned out to be successful. A

considerable amount of the gold produced in colonial and imperial Brazil came from this region, occupied since the end of the

17th century by the research expeditions of precious minerals.

In the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, two events were remarkable: the research expedition of precious minerals

carried by Fernão Dias and the discovery of gold in Ouro Preto. These events influenced the settlement in the Quadrilátero

Ferrífero, which initially occurred along two main axes, Sabará (influenced by Fernão Dias‟s expedition) and Mariana and Ouro

Preto (influenced by the discovery of gold in the Tripuí creek).

These discoveries together with a series of expeditions that followed prepared the great phase of the gold explorations

and the settlement in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero with the foundation of the villages of Mariana, Vila Rica de Ouro Preto, and Vila

Real deSabará. Several hamlets and villages within or near the Quadrilátero Ferrífero had their birth associated with gold

mining, such as: Caeté, Congonhas, Catas Altas, Santa Bárbara, Barão de Cocais, Cachoeira do Campo, Ouro Branco, Nova Lima,

São Gonçalo do Rio Acima, and Piedade do Paraopeba, among others.

Ferrand (1894) and Barbosa & Rodrigues (1967) call attention to the four phases of gold exploration in the Quadrilátero

Ferrífero of which the first three happened during the colonial period, permitting decisively the settlement in the region; the last

one occured during the imperial period using mechanized extraction techniques.

2.4 –Mining history

Márcia Machado

Morro Velho Mine Source

16


¹ Translator‟s Note: First Brazilian explorers of the 16th – 18th century who ventured through the hinterlands focusing on native

slave-hunting and on the conquest of new land, gold and precious stones.

In the colonial period, gold exploration was limited to alluvial gold employing slave workforce and rudimentary techniques

toextract the gold found on the earth‟s surface and on river beds. The works on river banks and terraces and in mountain valleys

used pit workings. This method consisted of excavations in the shape of a funnel where the miner removed the soil to the point of

the pebble bed. As the gold was found, the caves were deepened in order to reach the hard rock. In the workings on the mountain

flanks (workings in eluvial and colluvial material), the miners used the difference in level to have streams of water flow through

the whole mass, dragged, and collected underneath.

Thus, in the first phase the extraction used to be carried

out along the axis of the rivers where the gold was being

discovered. As the supply of gold exhausted, the deposits on

hillsides started to be explored up to terraces of 30 to40 me-

ters above the level of the river, characterizing the second

phase. In some places, a third phase happened with the explo-

ration of terraces of 60 to70 meters above the river.

During the third phase the gold content decreased.

Rudimentary techniques were used in mines and the lack of

means for deepening the exploration resulted in decreasing

output. From the second half of the 18th century onwards, the

population started to abandon the mines and to dedicate to

other economical activities as agriculture, which was limited by

the inappropriate conditions for its development, and trading.

Several factors led to the decline of the mines: the economical

policy adopted by the Portuguese crown itself with a confuse

and repressive legislation, inadequate administration, lack of

concern to improve mining techniques and individualism of the

mine owners.

Draw of mining – Rugendas 1824

17

²Translator‟s Note: Literally, “the little cripple”. His nickname is associated with a debilitating painful disease which caused deformities in

his body and eventually the loss of toes and fingers. Even suffering with the disease and body limitations, Aleijadinho continued to execute

his works of art.

The mixture of races and cultures in the colonial period turned the Quadrilátero Ferrífero into a civilizing, and cultural

cradle, permitting the appearance of an artistic movement linked to architecture, literature, and music. The baroque art

flourished especially with the masterpieces of Antônio Francisco Lisboa – known as Aleijadinho² - and Manuel da Costa Ataíde,

observed in several towns of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero.

In the field of music, the region also counted on renowned artists as Jose Joaquim Emérico. Moreover, the Quadrilátero

Ferrífero was also the cradle of the first expressive literary movement in Brazil with the participation of Cláudio Manuel da Costa,

Tomás Antônio Gonzaga and Alvarenga Peixoto. In the fourth phase of gold mining in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (during the

19thcentury), more modern methods of sub-surface and surface mining were used. Gold production increased only after

admission of foreign – mostly British – capital in the Brazilian mining industry in 1824.

In 1810 the mineralogist and geologist Wilhelm Ludwig Von Eschwege was hired. Upon his arrival, he was assigned to

evaluate the situation of the gold mines in Minas Gerais, study ways to improve the production as well as consider the

possibilities to implant new mining techniques capable of recovering the decadent mining industry of the country.

As specialists insisted that the mines were not exhausted and could still offer good results with the use of advanced

techniques, the English identified the opportunity to found companies and acquired promising mines in Minas Gerais. The

Imperial Brazilian Mining Association was the first to be established - in 1824 - and bought the gold mine Gongo Soco, in the

region of Caeté.

With the arrival of the English capital, the mining techniques used in the 18th century were replaced by the sophisticated

machinery directed to the extractive activity, as crushers, and hydraulic wheels. However, at this very time, other economical

activities attracted the attention of the population and the provincial government itself, particularly cattle raising, agriculture,

and coffee plantation, the first Brazilian export product in 1831.

The phase of iron forges occurred simultaneously to the fourth phase of gold extraction and even before it. Initially

rudimentary, it was characterized by variations in the manner of melting, using from pans and home stoves to more refined

methods.

According to Rosiére et al. (2005), the iron mining activities in the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (in Itabirito) already

occurred during the gold cycle with the first attempts to exploit the enormous reserves through small iron industries. The

metallurgy of iron in this period is not very well documented and Landgraf et al. (1994) suggest that it was influenced by the use

of the African knowledge on iron extraction once they presented a rudimentary technique, efficient though.

18


From 1777 onwards, several factors led to a higher interest in the development of mines and iron forges (a millenary

process of direct reduction of ore using charcoal in small-sized ovens) in Brazil. According to Azevedo & Paula (2003), the arrival

of D. Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho was relevant to Brazil. Being a skillful politician and a competent administrator, he took over

the Ministry of Marine and Ultramarine Affairs from 1796 to 1803 and became therefore responsible for the colonial policy.

Another important factor was the foundation of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Portugal in 1777, stimulating research to

evaluate the economical situation of Portugal and its colonies. Furtado (1994) states that the main target of these studies was to

diagnose the Portuguese delay in relation to other European nations, find the reasons and propose solutions.

The arrival of the Portuguese Royal family in Brazil in 1808 was essential for the development of the metallurgy of iron,

which received encouragement and financial support for the establishment of the first three units in the country, two of which in

Minas Gerais: The Royal Iron Factory of Morro do Pilar and Patriotic Iron Factory in Congonhas in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. In

this period, the metallurgy of iron in Brazil had the contribution and experience of some experts as Manoel da Câmara Ferreira

Bettencourt e Sá; the Swedish Carl Hedberg; the Germans Varnhagen, and Eschwege, who counted on the Crown‟s

recommendation and financial support.

The activities of mineral extraction, mainly gold, and iron, determine the present landscape of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero,

being important to the development of its history and culture. The large number of towns and historical hamlets, mines and sites

of mineral extraction, small agricultural areas, iron and steel factories, train stations, tourist attractions are elements that

confirm the great cultural and historical value of the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (Barbosa & Rodrigues 1967).

19

Fifty-five sites of natural, cultural, and historic interest, especially those that represent the geological history of the

Quadrilátero Ferrífero and of the mining history of Brazil, have been recognized. For the first phase of implementation of the

Geopark, a seletion of 29 sites – geological and non-geological - is considered (Map 2). The selection of sites was based on the

recommendations by the Brazilian Commission of Geological and Paleobiological Sites - SIGEP and partially used the inventory

made by Ruchkys (2007). SIGEP was established in 1997 with the objective of recognizing the Brazilian geological heritage. In

order to understand the history of mining and of the geological evolution of the region, it is essential to emphasize the

importance of the following sites.

3. Listing and description of geological sites

Daniel Mansur

Rola Moça Range

20


1. Gneiss from Cachoeira do Campo

It is located in the municipality of Cachoeira do Campo. It is

representative for one of the Archean metamorphic complexes referred

in the geological context, the granite-migmatite-gneiss crystalline

embasement composed of tonalitetrondhjemite- granodiorite (TTG),

which corresponds to the most ancient rocks of the Iron Quadrangle,

the basis of all geological units of this region. The gneisses composed of

TTG, together with greenstone belt sequences are the most characteris-

tic constituents of the Archean cratons. The first continental crusts of

the earth and the first protocratonic nucleus, which started to be formed about four billion years ago, were composed of the

same gneisse. The crystalline basement from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero is divided into complexes that receive different local

denominations such as: Bação Complex; Bonfim Complex; Belo Horizonte Complex; Caeté Complex; Santa Barbára Complex. The

gneiss site from Cachoeira do Campo is located in the Bação Complex.

2. Metavolcanics rocks of the Rio das Velhas

Supergroup and Bicame de Pedras stone aqueduct: Serpentine schists

at the base of the Rio das Velhas Supergroups in tectonic contact with

quartzites of the Moeda Formation (Caraça Group). This geosite islocated in

Catas Altas on the road to the Quebra OssoFarm, close to the Valemix offices

(Quarry One), close tothe Bicame de Pedra aqueduct and to the Estrada Real

(Royal Road) road sign. The Bicame de Pedra was built in 1792 by Manoel

Ferreira Pinto as water supply for his gold mine at theBoa Vista Range. It is

a touristic attraction along the Estrada Real and offers a beautiful view of

the CaraçaThe wall is 4 meters high with a Roman arch shaped portal, over

which the water was conducted to be usedfor gold washing in the 18th and

19th centuries. Its construction cost one arroba (approximately 15 kilograms)

of gold.

Description of Geosites

Source CPRM

Gnaisse from Cachoeira do Campo

Source CPRM

Aqueduct (Bicame de Pedra)

Carlos Schobbenhaus

Roman arch portal of the Stone aqueduct near

Osso Farm

21

3. Metarenites from the Andaime Range

This site is located in the Andaime Range, in the municipality of

Itabirito and relates to the unit of the Maquiné Group, Velhas River

Supergrup. The metarenites from the Andaime Range are interpreted by

Pedreira (1995) and Baltazar & Pedreira (2000) as acoastal association

originated in shallow marine environment in the Archean, being therefore

the record of one of the first beaches in Brazil. The outcrops

4. Quartzites and basal conglomerate from the Moeda Formation – Moeda Range

This site is located in the Moeda Range, around 17 km to the south of Belo Horizonte. It was formed in a context of relative

global quiescence and existence of a recently consolidated Archean platform that originated the Minas proto-basin, initially with

continental followed by marine sedimentation. The Minas Supergroup started to deposit at approximately 2.5Ga, along a

passive-margin basin developed in the pre-existent continental platform. The first record regarding the opening of this basin is

marked by auriferous and uraniferous metaconglomerates found in the basal part of the Moeda Formation. This unit was

deposited in fluvial environment where the basal conglomerates represent the filling of ancient valleys cut in older rocks of the

Nova Lima Group.

Moeda Range

Dionísio Azevedo

Metarenites from theAndaime Range

22


5. Caraça Range and Sanctuary

The Caraça Range is the generic name for a set of mountains that present the highest altitudes of the Quadrilátero Ferrí-

fero, with the Sun Peak (Pico do Sol) reaching 2,072m a.s.l. The Caraça Range is composed essentially of quartzites from the Moe-

da Formation belonging to the Caraça Group. The Inficionado Peak, located in this mountain range, holds quartzite caves, among

which the Centenário grotto, the world's largest in this lithology. The cave tunnels form a quadratic network of labyrinths rea-

ching – 481m of depth of difference in level and a total of 3,790 m of horizontal projection (4,700m of linear development). Due to

this characteristic, the Caraça Range is recognized as geological heritage of Brazil by SIGEP.

José Israel Abrantes

Caraça Range and Sanctuary

23

6. Itabirites from Piedade Range

From the geological point of view, the Piedade Range is very ex-

pressive as the itabirite outcrops of the Cauê Formation, Itabira Group,

represent one of the thickest ferriferous formations in the Quadriláte-

ro Ferrífero. Its deposition occurred mainly between 2600 and 1800Ma,

corresponding to about 15% of the total volume of Proterozoic sedi-

ments. These Banded Iron Formations - BIFs - belong to the Lake Supe-

rior type, constituted by rocks of milimetric to centimetric lamination.

They are in their majority silicate and carbonate facies BIFs rarely con-

taining clastic material and faciologically associated with chert,

dolomite, quartzite, argillite, and volcanic rocks. The presence of these

rocks in the Precambrian record suggests changes in the chemical

composition of the atmosphere in the Paleoproterozoic.

These deposits result from iron oxidation due to the increase of oxygen

in the Earth‟s atmosphere. Besides their geoecological impor-

tance to understand the phenomena that led to the evolution of life, of

the oceans and of the atmosphere in the Precambrian, itabirites

are extremely important economically and many iron ore mines within the banded iron formations are found in the Iron Quadran-

gle. For long, the Piedade Range has been a religious reference for many people who make pilgrimages there every year. This

geosite is recognized by the SIGEP as a Brazilian Geological Heritage and presents a privileged view over morphological

units of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero.

Piedade Range

Source: IEPHA

Piedade Range

Source: IEPHA

24


7. Curral Range

The Curral Range corresponds to a homoclinal whose axis is

usually oriented from the NE to the SW, constituting the northein limit

of Quadrilátero Ferrífero. Part of the metasedimentary sequence of the

Minas Supergroup outcrops in the Curral Range: Caraça, Itabira,

Piracicaba, and Sabará groups. These units present stratigraphic

inversion caused by tectonics, and characterize a lithostructural and

morphological diversity and accidented relief. The name Curral Range is

associated with the former .Curral Del Rey (currently the city of Belo

Horizonte). The range still keeps part of the original name of the hamlet

developed at its bottom.

8. Itabirito Peak

Itabirito Peak was described by Burton during his visit to the Cata Branca Mine. Due to its majesty, it was included together

with the Itacolomi Peak and the Caraça Range in the Map of the Capitany of Minas Gerais developed by Eschwege in 1821 and

presented in the first volume of the book Pluto Brasiliensis.

Daniel Mansur

Curral Range

Dionísio Azevedo

Itabirito Peak

25

9. Itacolomi Peak

The Itacolomi Group represents a typical deposition of fluvial environment and alluvial fans in narrow intermontane

depression. The alluvial fans are sediments occurring typically adjacent to the mountainous areas. The quartzites from the

Itacolomi were first described as new rocks by Eschwege, in view of their wide distribution and own characteristics, and

denominated itacolumite or quartzite itacolomi. The Swiss geologist Dr. Heusser, climbed the Itacolomi Peak in 1859 and

recognized carstic features in the quartzite.

10. Ouro Branco Range

Recognized as a heritage by the IEPHA. In addition to the beautiful sceneries, this range has innumerable waterfalls including some of

difficult access. The Estrada Real that connected Ouro Preto to Rio de Janeiro passed through it. The Ouro Branco Range is formed by an

approximately 20 km-long wall, which limits a plateau with altitudes ranging from 1,250 to 1,568 m – in the past it was also called Deus-te-livre Range.

Source: IEF

Itacolomi Park

Miguel Andrade

Ouro Branco Range

26


11. Paleontological site of Fonseca

The Fonseca Basin was recognized as a geological and paleontological

heritage of Brazil by the SIGEP. Described by Mello et al. (2002), it is a

classical example of Paleogene sediments. Due to its deposits of “canga”,

lignite, and fossiliferous sediments, it has raised the interest of many

researchers since the second half of last century. The main lithotypes

constitute the sandy and clayey sediments from the Fonseca Formation,

probably formed in the Eocene. These deposits are covered by the ferruginous

conglomerates (“canga”) from the Chapada de Canga Formation. The

fossiliferous record from the Fonseca Formation is characterized by a wide

variety of Angiosperm families, of which the Melastomataceae and Mimosaceae constitute the most abundant families. The most

remarkable fossil belongs to the Family Bombacacea – a relatively well-preserved flower, presenting prints left by petals and

stamen (male reproductive organ of the flower). It is the only fossiliferous site of the Geopark.

Margarete Pereira

Sítio Paleotológico do Fonseca

Fossil flower from the Fonseca Formation - Eriotheca prima, Bombacaceae genus (DGM 1436 Pb).

(a) Impression; (b) Illustrative recreation. (apud Duarte,1974 in Mello et al.2002).

27

12. Rola Moça Range

The Rola Moça Range State Park (Parque Estadual Serra do

Rola Moça) presents wellexposed areas of ferruginous laterite

carapace from the Cenozoic, locally known as “canga”. Eschwege (1822)

believes that the term tapanhoacanga was initially used by local miners

on account of the terrain where this crust prevails, which presents

frizzled morphology with the development of botryoidal structures.

The canga or ferruginous laterite was formed by weathering processes

of the itabirite. In tropical regions, these processes may provoke an

enrichment of iron at the top of

the section, which depends essentially on the silica dissolution by pluvial waters.

The processes of laterization and the resulting formation of canga are relatively

recent and are usually associated with relief leveling caused by erosion. As for the

cangas from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, several authors associate the for-

mation of laterite to the development of the South American leveling surface, re-

garded as Paleogene, as propposed by King (1956).

13. Morro Velho Mine

At Morro Velho the exploration of gold originated in the colonial

period around 1725. The mine has experienced the evolution of gold

mining techniques since its beginning. During the 1920‟s, it was the

deepest mine of the world and the most productive gold mine of Brazil,

turning to be a reference for the history of mining in Brazil. When its

activities were descontinued in 2003, the directors of Anglogold-Ashanti,

its present owner, expressed the interest in developing a project

.

Source: IEF

Rola Moça Range

Rola Moça Range

Source: IEF

Source Anglogold

Morro Velho Mine

28


14. Córrego do Meio Mine

The mining company Vale promoted a meeting between authorities and the press at the Córrego do Meio Mine in Sabará, on

June 20, 2008 to officially launch the Biodiversity Project. The oldest mine belonging to Vale, named Córrego do Meio Mine, was

explored for 65 years (starting in 1940) and was exhausted in 2005. The company decided to recover the area and turn it into a

place for research and activities related to environmental conservation and recovery. The work in the 660 acres will be finished

in 2012. They expect the center, which is named Center for Biodiversity Research and Conservation of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero,

to be able to produce 1 million seedlings of local plants each year. The equipment used in the old mine will be reused in the

Center‟s activities.

15. Águas Claras Mine

The iron ore mine of Águas Claras was opened in 1974 and closed

down in 2002, and it will be transformed into a real estate

development and a recreation area. The open pits is transformed in

anartificial lake. It is located in the Curral Range, closeto the

Mangabeiras Park, at the limit of Belo Horizonte and Nova Lima

municipalities.

16. Passagem Village (Vila da Passagem)

Passagem Village, where primary gold was discovered in the

beginning of the 18th century, was founded in 1719, between the towns of

Ouro Preto and Mariana (the first village and capital of the state of Minas

Gerais). This village corresponds to the first reference in the Brazilian mi-

ning history. Passagem Mine is located in this region where a rudimentary

mine was started in 1729. From 1729 to 1819, concessions to explore the

mineral property of Passagem were granted to several miners until 1819

when it was acquired, together with some neighbouring concessions, by

the Baron Eschwege, who created thefirst mining company with private capital in the country – Mineralogical Society of the

Passagem (Sociedade Mineralógica da Passagem) – and installed a stamp mill and stone mills – not used in Brazil until

then.

Daniel Mansur

Águas Claras Mine

Passagem Mine

Dionísio Azevedo

29

The Passagem Mine, which belongs to the Companhia Minas de Passagem – CMP, is open to visit all days (charging

entrance fees) and offers a tour to the underground mine tunnels by a trolley on an inclined plane (around 300 meterslong and

120m below surface). This is the only gold mine open to the public in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero.

17. Lana Copse Mine (Capão do Lana Topaz Mine)

In 1772, the discovery of yellow topaz in the Saramenha Hill (Morro da

Saramenha), on the outskirts of Ouro Preto, attracted a large number of miners, who

abandoned their gold mines. Nowadays, in the region of Rodrigo Silva, district of

Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, is the Capão do Lana Mine, which was visited by almost all

foreign naturalists who passed through Minas Gerais. The Imperial Topaz

Mining Company started its operation in 1971, in the region of Rodrigo Silva. It is onof

the few gem mining companies of the world that operates with a totally mechanized

system. It has also done geological surveys, and exploration on its ground, complying

with all the legal requirements.

18. Nossa Senhora da Lapa Grotto

The grotto of Nossa Senhora da Lapa was formed by the process of

disintegration of the limestone (dolomites) of the Gandarela Formation,

which led to the development of caverns. The place is a center for

pilgrimage by devotes of Our Lady of Conception of Lapa, especially on Au-

gust 15, the day dedicated to the saint.

Capão do Lana Topaz Mine

Maria Márcia M. Machado

Topázio amarelo

Virgínio Mantesso Nelo

Rose Lane Guimarães

Gruta Nossa Senhora da Lapa

30


4. Details on the interest of these sites

1. Gneiss from Cachoeira do Campo

Site of regional interest: scientific and education.

2. Metavolcanics rocks of the Rio das Velhas

Supergroup and Bicame de Pedras stone aqueduct


3. Metarenites from the Andaime Range


4. Quartzites and basal conglomerate

from the Moeda Formation – Moeda Range

Site of national multi-thematic interest: scientific, education,

decorative, cultural, and touristic.

5. Caraça Range and Sanctuary

Site of international multi-thematic interest: scientific, education,

decorative, cultural, religious, historic, and touristic.

6. Itabirites from Piedade Range


decorative, cultural, religious, historic, and touristic.

7. Curral Range

Site of national multi-thematic interest: scientific, education,

decorative, cultural, historic, and touristic.

8. Itabirito Peak

Site of regional multi-thematic interest: scientific, decorative,

cultural, and historic.

9. Itacolomi Peak

Site of international multi-thematic

interest: scientific, education, decorative, cultural, religious, his-

toric, and touristic.

10. Ouro Branco Range

Site of regional multi-thematic

interest: scientific, education, decorative, cultural, historic, and

touristic.

11. Paleontological site of Fonseca

Site of regional interest: scientific.

12. Rola Moça Range


decorative, cultural, historic, and touristic.

13. Morro Velho Mine

Site of international multi-thematic

interest: scientific, education, decorative, cultural, historic, and

touristic.

14. Córrego do Meio Mine


31

15. Águas Claras Mine


16. Passagem Village

Site of national multi-thematic interest:

scientific, education, historic, and touristic.

17. Lana Copse Mine (Capão do Lana Topaz Mine)

Site of international interest: scientific, historic, and touristic.

18. Nossa Senhora da Lapa Grotto

Site of regional interest: cultural, religious, and historic.

Non-geological sites

1. Mangabeiras Park

Site of regional multi-thematic interest:

scientific, education, decorative, cultural, historic, and touristic.

2. Ruins of the Clandestine Gold Melting House

Site of regional interest: education, historic, and touristic.

3. Patriotic Factory (Iron Foundry)

Site of national interest: scientific, education, and historic.

4. Morro da Queimada

Site of national interest: scientific, historic, and touristic.

5. Pedra Pintada Archeological Site


scientific, cultural, historic, and touristic.

6. Tripuí Ecological Station


scientific, decorative, cultural, historic.

7. Museum of Science and Technique of the School

of Mines / UFOP

Site of international interest: scientific, education, and touristic.

8. Gold Museum


9. Tax and Accounting House

Site of international interest: scientific,education, and touristic.

10. Museum of Mines and Metal


11. Inhotim Cultural Institut

Site of international multi-thematic interest: artistic, cultural,

historic, and touristic.

32


The better part of the site of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero Geopak is located in areas of little or no anthropic impact and in

terms of usage, are bound by the limitations associated with the APA Sul RMBH and Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve.

C – Geoconservation

1. Current or potential pressure

2. Current status in terms of protection of geological sites

The following sites are protected by law: itabirite at the Piedade Range (site 6), quartzite of the Itacolomi Group (sites 10

and 11), canga of the Rola Moça Range(site 13), the Caraça Range and Sanctuary (site 5), the Curral Range (site 7), Mangabeiras

Park(site 8), Itabirito Peak(site 9), Patriotic Factory (site 15), Morro da Queimada (site 17), Tripuí Ecological Station (site 22). The

Piedade Range is registered as a historical and landscape site by IEPHA and IPHAN; the Itacolomi quartzites are located in the

State Park of the same name and in the Ouro Branco Range (registered as a historical site by IEPHA and currently in the process

of becoming a conservation unit); the canga in the Rola Moça Range is located in a State Park. The Caraça Range and Sanctuary

is part of a Private Reserve of Natural Resources and the Tripuí Ecological Station is also recognized within te SNUC. A Patr iotic

Factory, the Itabirito Peak, the Curral Range, and the Morro da Queimada are registered as historic sites by the government. The

Mangabeiras Park is a municipal conservation unit at the foothills of the Curral Range, a symbol of the city of Belo Horizonte.

The Morro Velho, Córrego do Meio, and Águas Claras mines are in the process of environmental recovery with proposals for

educational and leisure uses.

3. Data on the management and maintenance of these sites

Several sites are part of legally recognized conservation units, or are recognized as historic sites by the government. Most

of the area of the proposed Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark is part of the Southern Environmental Protected Area of the Belo

Horizonte Metropolitan Region - APA Sul RMBH described in the National System of Conservation Units - SNUC and of the

Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve of the MaB UNESCO Program - on which the legally established conservation and protection

measures apply.

33

1. Mangabeiras Park

Located at the foot of the Curral Range, cultural heritage of Belo

Horizonte, the Mangabeiras Park was projected by the landscape a

rchitect Roberto Burle Marx. It preserves in its 2.8 million square-meter

area, 21 water springs from the Córrego da Serra (“Mountain creek”)

which is part of the São Francisco River Basin. In the beginning of the

1960‟s was created Ferro Belo Horizonte S/A - FERROBEL, a municipal

mining company, which explored iron ore in the park. By the end of 1979,

FERROBEL was deactivated and studies for the creation of the park were

initiated.

2. Ruins of the Clandestine Gold Melting House

The Portuguese policy used in Brazil was always directed to grant the Kingdom patrimonial rights, aiming at the tax

collection and gains. For the purpose of assuring its profits, the Portuguese Crown instituted several fiscal measures related to

the production, payment, and circulation of gold to control the quantities extracted in the mines. Within the systems adopted for

collecting the taxes, the most significant is the Quinto, a tax charged by the Portuguese Crown correspondent to 20% of all gold

founfound in the colony. Compared to the crown, trading attributed a much higher value to gold. Therefore, the Crown had

4. Listing and description of non-geological sites and how they are integrated into the proposed Geopark

Mangabeiras Park

Daniel Mansur

Ruínas da casa de fundição clandestine de ouro

Acervo IEPHA

34


constantly to deal with problems such as smuggling, tax dodging, and forgery. Coin counterfeiting is an example of the

multiple forgery tactics developed in the Colonial Period especially when the first melting were established (from 1724 to 1735).

Inácio de Souza Ferreira, together with Manuel Francisco, and other accomplices, founded an illegal mint in a well-located country

house in the Paraopeba Valley. Once equipped and structured, it soon started to produce gold bars and coins with genuine

minting dies stolen from the official melting houses and considered useless. The country house where the illegal melting house of

the Paraopeba Valley operated is extremely important for the history of mining and an example of the misconduct caused by the

gold in the colonial period.

3. Patriotic Factory (Iron Foundry)

As with mining, iron metallurgy also represents the vocation of the

region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero and the explorations of iron define the

landscape. Eschwege had the idea to build a plant toproduce iron at

industrial scale. Therefore, he formeda private company to construct this

plant that was named Patriotic Factory (Fábrica Patriótica).

The construction started in 1811 and in 1812 the first iron was

forged using a mallet at industrial scale. The ruins of the Patriotic Factory

are preserved by the IPHAN as a historical testimony of the iron metallurgy

industry in Brazil. This site was recognized as a National Heritage

Monument in 1938 as the first iron factory in Brazil.

4. Morro da Queimada

The Morro da Queimada (“Burned Hill”), which is the birthplace of the city of Ouro Preto, is being transformed into an

archeological park, where researchers will undertake excavation work that aims to improve the knowledge of the occupations

during the Gold Cycle in Brazil. The IPHAN is responsible for this initiative.

According to IPHAN director in OuroPreto and general coordinator of project, Benedito Tadeu de Oliveira, they intend to

also to create a new tourist attraction for Ouro Preto.

Dionísio Azevedo

Ruins of Patriotic Factory

35

5. Pedra Pintada Archeological Site

The archeological site of Pedra Pintada with its cave paintings is located 3 kilometers from Vila de Cocais, Barão dos Cocais

district. It was studied in 1843 by the Danish Naturalist Peter Lund, and more recently, by historians Alexandra Simões Sique ira

and Janaína Fonseca Mota, who estimate that the paintings are 4,000 years old. There are 122 paintings made with mineral

pigments (mostly iron toxides), divided in 3 panels, where animals are predominant, as well as weaponry. In 1998, the

archeologist André Proust headed a UFMG and IEPHA team which copied over three thousand paintings, which are now part of

the Museum of Natural History of UFMG in Belo Horizonte, and of the Museum of Man in Paris, France.

6. Tripuí Ecological Station

Tripuí is considered one of the oldest places in the colonial history of Minas, where

one can still find the remains of the old royal road that leads to Ouro Preto. It is currently

one of the most importante natural conservation areas in Minas Gerais, being world

renowned for hosting a rare animal, considered to be a “living fossil” and a relic from our

biological past, Peripatus acacioi.

Source: IPHAN

Peripatus acacioi

36


The Geopark includes also has several museums and environmental and historical education centers related to the history

of mining, and geological resources.

7. Museum of Science and Technique of the School of Mines / UFOP

Housed in the former Governor‟s Palace, built in 1744/48 with about 23 thousand samples of minerals from the all over

world, among which ahighlight is a room that reproduces the interior of

a gold mine. The Museum of Science and Technique was created on

October 12, 1995. “12 theme sectors were designed, including the

schools of Engineering of the School of Mines / UFOP: Mines

Metallurgy, Geology, Civil Engineering, and Production Engineering,

Astronomy, Design, Natural History (Anthropology, Paleontology, and

Zoology), Mineralogy, and Topography. Six theme sectors are already

open to visitation, and have didactic and pedagogical objectives”.

(Museum of Science and Technique).

Miguel Andrade

Ecological Station of Tripuí

Museum of Science and Technique

Source: UFOP

37

8. Gold Museum

The former Gold Intendency and Melting House of Sabará, built in1721, is a beautiful genuine example of 18th century

colonial architecture and now houses the Gold Museum. As one enters the museum the visitor get an exact impression of how

miners lived at that time, from rustic engineering to utensils, and furniture. It is the only construction of its kind that is still

standing in Minas Gerais. Its architectural style is typical of the 18th century. On the top floor pieces of furniture and religious

imagery are in exhibition. On the bottom floor, where the pavements are made of pebbles, assorted pieces, models, and

instruments are displayed, all related to gold and diamond mining. A press, brought to the building in the early 18th century for

marking gold bars, is still at its original place.

9. Tax and Accounting House

The building was constructed during 1782 and 1784 asa residence of the tax

collector João Rodrigues de Macedo.In 1803, the building was confiscated by the

government,due to its owner‟s failure to pay taxes. Between 1820 and 1832 it became a

place for gold melting, and the instrumentsrelated to that activity can still be seen insi-

de the building. Today it houses a museum, the Center for Studies of the Gold Cycle -

CECO, and the Internal Revenue Service of Ouro

Gold Museum

Source IEPHA

Tax and Accounting House

Source Arquivo Nacional

38


10. Museum of Mines and Metal

Located in the area of influence of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark.This museum is being established and will be

opened in 2010 at Liberdade Square in Belo Horizonte. It is a museum space that is part of the “Praça da Liberdade Cultural

Circuit – Art and Knowledge”, a project coordinated by the State Secretary of Culture of Minas Gerais. The museum will house

part of the collection of the current Professor Djalma Guimarães Museum of Mineralogy, also located at the Liberdade Square.

11. Inhotim Cultural Institut

Located in the area of influence of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark, in a closed down mineral exploration area.Inhotim

is a site that offers a broad ensemble of art works, displayed outdoors as well as in both temporary and permanent galleries, all

located inside a Botanical Garden of extraordinary beauty. The landscaping was originally inspired by famed architect and

landscape artist Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994), and rare plant species are distributed in an esthetically pleasing manner

throughout an estate which also sports five lakes and a preserved forest area.

Inhotim Cultural Institut, decreed a Civil Society Organization of Public Interest, offers, in addition to these areas of

artistic enjoyment and entertainment - which make it stand out among similar institutions - develops environmental research

work, educational actions and an important program of social inclusion and citizenship for the local population.

Inhotim

39

The population of the area proposed for the Geopark is of approximately 3,154,506 inhabitants, and since the discovery of

gold at the end of the 17th century to present the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero has the largest urban concentration of

the state of Minas Gerais. In its northern part, the state capital of Belo Horizonte has nearly 2.4 million inhabitants. The cities

of the region have a population of about 22% of the state population, and they are responsible for 26.8% of the GDP for the

state of Minas Gerais.

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero is the most important mineral province in the Southeast of Brazil, with mining being the basis

for the economy of several cities that are part of it. Brazil has an important place in two of the most important minerals of the

Quadrilátero Ferrífero: iron and gold; the country is the second largest iron ore producer in the world. In 2008, its production

was 19% of the world production (IBRAM 2009). In 2006, Minas Gerais produced 70% of the iron ore in Brazil, with almost all

the production being from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. The Brazilian

production of gold was 55 tons in 2008, which is nearly 2% of the world

production. Minas Gerais is responsible for 39.7% of it. According to

Foscolo et al. (2008), Minas Gerais has the largest concentration of ope-

rational mines in the world. In general, cities that are part of the Quadri-

látero Ferrífero have a dynamic economy and have had, in the past few

years, a growth of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) above the national

and state averages. The economy of the region is strongly influenced

by Belo Horizonte, which is responsible for around 73% of the GDP,

which is mostly made up by the services and industry. As faras the Human Development Index (HDI) goes, most cities are at a

mid-level and just a few of the cities like Nova Lima and Belo Horizonte are at a high level.

D – Economic Activity & Business Plan

1. Economic activity

Piedade Range

Miguel Andrade

40

Sources of financing the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark are from calls for the financing of projects and also from the

establishment of partnerships. The projects listed in item I are financed by such partnerships and on the resources of public

institutions of promotion.

Significant support financial is supplied by the State Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Minas

Gerais, through the Mineral and Metallurgic Pole of Excellence. In the second half of 2010 was started the delineation of the

lines of support for the Federal Government of Brazil to the Geopark, through the Ministry of the National Integration. The

Instituto Quadrilátero is able to attract national and international resources for the implementation and operation of Geopark.

1.1. Sources of financing

2. Existing and planned facilities

2.1. Infrastructure

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark is well located in relation to the main points of origin for tourism in Brazil. Belo

Horizonte is 586km away from Sao Paulo, 434 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro, and 716km away from Brasília, and these are

moderate distances, considering the size of Brazil. The capitals have airports with regular and charter flights. The Quadrilátero

Ferríferoregion has two airports, one international (Confins), and another national (Pampulha).

The International Airport of Confins is located between the towns of Confins and Lagoa Santa, 38km away from downtown

Belo Horizonte; the airport has direct international flights to Lisbon, Panama City, and Miami. The two first destinations have

flights five times a week, through TAP and COPA Airlines, respectively. The latter has four flights a week through American

Airlines. There is also a stop to Buenos Aires (TAM/GOL/Varig), Paris (TAM), and Miami (TAM). The government of Minas Gerais

is responsible for the largest road construction ever planned for Belo Horizonte, called Linha Verde. It is an adequation of the

streets that connect downtown to the International Airport, which is now a freeway, so that this trip can be done in 35 minutes.

The downtown airport of Belo Horizonte/Pampulha is used for general and regional aviation, and it has flights from the capital

to several destinations in the state and in neighboring states. A special bus line links the two airports.

41

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero region is part of an extensive system of state and federal roads, making all the cities of the

geopark accessible. As a rule, the cities of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero have basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, and

public health care systems sufficient to supply local population, some of then nedding improvements, especially when facing the

possibility of increased tourism. The tourism infrastructure tends to be concentrated in cities. The colonial towns, Ouro Preto,

Ouro Branco, Mariana, Catas Altas, Santa Bárbara, and the cities of the Belo Horizonte metropolitan area, Sabará, Nova Lima,

Rio Acima, and Brumadinho, are the main areas of infrastructure within the Geopark. There are several hotels, bed and

breakfasts, restaurants, camping grounds, tourism agencies, local guides, as well as a diverse local commerce. Rural

infrastructure is mostly made up of roadside businesses providing accommodation and family-owned restaurants.

Piedade Range

Miguel Andrade

42


The National System of Conservation Units - SNUC was created on July 18, 2000 by Law 9,985, and regulated on August 22,

2002 by Decree 4,430, was a response to the need to preserve the diversity of biomes, ecosystems, and species within the

national territory. It is capable, therefore, of enabling the national preservation goals, allowing for the integrated management

of protected areas. Conservation Units are divided in two categories related to the nature of its use, as: Full Protection Units,

and Sustainable Use Units (Biodiversitas, 2005). In the area proposed for the creation of the Geopark the following conservation

units associated to geological sites are present:

2.2. Protected Areas

Mariana, Ouro Preto

Belo Horizonte, Brumadinho, Ibirité, Nova Lima

Caeté, Sabará

Ouro Preto

Barão de Cocais, Belo Horizonte, Brumadinho, Caeté,

Catas Altas, Ibirité, Itabirito, Mário Campos, Nova

Lima, Raposos, Rio Acima, Santa Bárbara, Sarzedo.

Catas Altas, Santa Bárbara

The concept of the geopark proposed by UNESCO is innovative as it combines science, culture, and education to diversify

and complement touristic offers, and it may be seen as a strategy for territorial development. Based on these premises, we

present the construction of the present and the future of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark.

2.3. Building the future

43

2.3.1. Quadrilátero Ferrífero 2050 Program

The Department of Geology of the School of Mines - UFOP with the support of the State Secretary of Science, Technology

and Higher Education of Minas Gerais has implemented the Quadrilátero Ferrífero 2050 Project (http://www.qfe2050.ufop.br/).

It is a Center for Advanced Studies of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero created with the intent to promote, conducte, and publish studi-

es and knowledge in the fields of Earth Sciences, mining activities, and sustainable development of the territory of the Quadrilá-

tero Ferrífero.

2.3.2. Mining and geopark

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero is one of the main mineral districts in Brazil and the world, and mining activities shaped its

landscape, and are references in the area. In the geopark proposal, the concepts of geological potential and geological/mining

heritage are considered to be complementary – therefore, the mining areas have their value recognized, and their legal rights

respected. Considering that the mining companies have shown a growing concern to harmonize their activities with conservation,

and that they have accounted for billions of dollars invested in agreements for social-environmental responsibility and

environmental compensations, the initiatives of geotourism and geoconservation that include education and interpretation of

the geological heritage might be developed with the support of these companies, and even using their properties. An example of

how this is already happening is the Center for Biodiversity Research and Conservation in the area of the exhausted mine

Córrego do Meio in Sabará, through a project of Vale mining company. The initiative is unprecedented in Brazil, and it consists of

recovery and transformation of an old mine into a space to develop research and conduct activities for environmental

conservation and recovery of areas that have suffered human intervention in the past. Aside from that, there is the

decommissioning and recovery of the exhausted mines of Morro Velho (underground) and Águas Claras (open pit).

43


However, in relation to education of the general public, especially children, there is still the understanding that it all still

remains to be done when it comes to interpretation and use of geological sites. In this sense, environmental education and

interpretation programs should be proposed and developed for each site for this purpose, and they should include:

(a) Implementation of geotourism paths integrating the sites; interpretative visits for schools of the towns that are part of

the geopark; interpretative visits included in the touristic products of the towns involved.

The observation of geological aspects is so much more interesting and profitable if the observation is

pedagogically directed, and if locations of clear geological nature are used. Since these requirements are met, one of the

purposes of geotourism has been achieved, which is to bring the non-profissional public closer to the geological language,

making it to understand scientific observations. In this sense, the definition of geotourism paths-routes is a way to organize and

integrate the educational possibilities of the

Quadrilátero Ferrífero, showing the main spots to be visited by tourists. The routes help the organization of specific

segments, to meet also specific demands. There already a few works that might help implement such tours. In 2008, the CPRM

launched a site with a proposal for a virtual tour of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, with indication of some of the sites proposed for

the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark. The product was developed within the Ibero-American Mineral Routes Program and to

the territorial organization for the sustainable development of society – RUMYS and it is available online (http://

www.cprm.gov.br/estrada_real/index.html). The objective of this site together with the results of the research project financed

by PUC Minas in 2006 is as follows: “Gold Route a proposal for geotourism-cultural routes in the Circuito do Ouro and Estrada

Real in the context of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero”, is the basis for the creation and publication of routes. In 2003, the

Department of Geology of the School of Mines UFOP launched the project “Minas High Lands”, which proposed routes

integrated in the natural aspects of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (available at http://200.131.211.7/terras).

44

Another interesting proposal is presented by Liccardo (2007), which is

the creation of mineral tourism routes linked to a mineral tourism circuit,

which is a variation of geotourism that reaches not only those who appreciate

nature, but also those who appreciate, collect, and purchase minerals and

gemstones, an area that has special economic importance in Minas Gerais. In

the area of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark, the highlight is the produc-

tion of imperial topaz – in Rodrigo Silva, a district of Ouro Preto - and for

soapstone, which is used for adornments and handicraft.

Aside from the routes, it is important that each site has an infrastruc-

ture that is capable to promote the geological or mining resources with the

right interpretative materials and signaling made available, such as panels

and signs, and the production of audiovisual material to promote sites that are to be distributed in the cities that are part of

geopark. The production of interpretative materials should consider the expectations of each audience (local population,

students, and geotourists) in order to develop different support programs, making the scientific language associated with the

mining, and geological resources accessible, so that these different publics can appreciate and understand it. The geopark

already has folders and pamphlets available for some of the sites that are part of the proposal. The sites located in state parks

have the Instituto Estadual de Florestas – IEF “tour guides” project, printed materials to publicize and increase tourism for the

public to know, respect, and protect natural resources.

It is also important to create panoramic observations points for the geological resources within the geopark, creating a

special environment. Special attention should be paid to the main traffic routes where these points may allow an introduction to

the significance of the resources of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, explaining the landscape evolution.

Handicraft made of soapstone

Antônio Liccardo

45


(b) Creation and implementation of education projects for the schools that are part of Geopark:

It is believed that learning through projects may favor the knowledge of the geology of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero by

children, once the learning takes place through experience. To foster the knowledge of the territory by children, we are

analyzing the possibility of establishing a joint venture with the Rocha Amiga Project (Friendly Rock Project), which was

developed in Portugal, and is the result of cooperation between several universities and schools. The project aims to create

consciousness in students about how important rocks are in their daily lives, supporting, and providing essential materials for

their lives, from shelter, water, and substract to the development of plants and animals, and industrial and technological uses.

The project can be adapted to the local reality, and involves new fronts like: customizing eco-friendly tote bags with geological

themes, drawing contests, writing contests, and pedagogical experience with prizes. We intend to develop the project

contemplating the following phases: establishment of partnership; establishing it in the towns of the region and their

educational networks; creation of teaching materials and sending these to the schools; development of activities in the schools.

Aside from the Rocha Amiga Project, we intend to develop other projects like “Geopark goes to school” and “School goes to

Geopark”, based on the experiences of other geoparks.

(c) Development of an integrated museum program for the museums that are part of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero and have

collections related to the mining or geology:

A difference between geoparks and other types of parks is their ability to make geosciences more popular; museums that

have collections related to these themes must have an educational proposal to promote geological resources. These museums

must work as an educational space to stimulate visitors to learn more about minerals, rocks, and fossils that register 4.5 billion

years of Earth history. All these museums already develop educational programs, but these are not yet directed to the geopark,

and therefore specific programs should be developed. The types of educational programs implemented will depend on the sizes

of the museums, their financial resources, personnel availability, and type of collection catalogue. However, each museum should

aim to maximize their educational purpose, and for that, the exhibit displays play a fundamental role. The exhibits should be

innovative, attractive, and make visitors think, to be both pleasurable and educational. The Quadrilátero Ferrífero has a few

museums associated with the history of mining or the geological resources, and out of these we highlight the Museum of Science

and Technique of the School of Mines – UFOP, the Djalma Guimarães Museum of Mineralogy (that will be incorporated by the

Museum of Mines and Metal, which is part of the Praça da Liberdade Cultural Circuit) in Belo Horizonte; the Museum of Natural

History –PUC Minas, and UFMG; the Gold Museum in Sabará.

46

O Quadrilátero Ferrífero é uma área privilegiada do ponto de vista do The

Quadrilátero Ferrífero is a privileged area as far as tourism planning goes in the

state of Minas Gerais. The reason for that is that most of its cities are part of the

Circuito do Ouro as proposed by the SETUR, and by the Programa Estrada Real

(Royal Road Program). The Circuito do Ouro is a series of roads that connect cities

that are related to the history of gold mining, including Ouro Preto, Mariana,

Congonhas, Sabará, Ouro Branco, Itabirito, Santa Bárbara, Santa Luzia, Caeté, Nova

Lima, Belo Vale, Raposos, Cata Altas, Barão de Cocais, Bom Jesus do Amparo,

Itabira, São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo and Rio Acima. Parts of the Estrada Real - ER

are included in the Circuito do Ouro presenting remnants of the Imperial Age, such

as bridges, manholes, combined sewers, stone walls, and rails, pavements, old

mines, as well as forgotten villages. State law nº. 13,137 from 1999 on the Pro-

gram to Incentivize the Tourism Potential of the Estrada Real refers to “the

roads and its variants built during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, in the states territory”. Therefore, the term “Estrada

Real” refers to the union of three large pathways to the mines that were used by colonizers in different times.

The routes of the three large pathways to access the mines – Old Path (Caminho Velho), New Path (Caminho Novo), and the

Path to the Diamond District (Caminho para o Distrito Diamantino) – used the former roads, which might possibly date to native

trails dating thousands of years. The Old Path connected São Paulo, from Piratininga, and its villages in the Paraiba Valley to

the Velhas River region, and it was, in the earlier stages of gold discovery, the main route of access and supply of the gold mines.

The New Path was hired by the Portuguese Crown and opened by Garcia Rodrigues Paes in order to connect Rio de Janeiro

directly to the mines. The Path to the Diamond District connected two centers in the same captaincy of Minas Gerais: Vila Rica

and the Arraial do Tijuco, center of diamond production.

Another highlight of the tourism in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero is associated with the local food, which is one of the most

typical and varied in Brazil, which is the result of a mixture of different cultural heritages from the people that helped to build

this state. From the Portuguese influence, there is a preference for the simplicity of preparations, which highlight the natural

qualities of products, and the sophistication of seasonings, and the delicate patisserie. African and native influences are also

present.

3. Análise do Potencial Geoturístico


Antônio Liccardo

47


A local drink is cachaça, sugar cane liquor brought to Minas by explorers and miners as a way to stay warm in the cold

nights. Currently cachaça is made in farms all over the state, and is served as an appetizer or as a drink in bars.

The mixture of cultural heritage of the people that helped make the state has also left behind beliefs and signs in the

practices of local communities. Tourists from all over the country and the world are attracted by the regional festivals of Minas

Gerais, which through celebrations, reenactments, masses, and vigils showcase all the religiousness of its people. The parties of

the African immigrants were incorporated in Minas Gerais, especially through the sisterhoods of Nossa Senhora do

Rosário.Congado, which mixes African traditions with elements of Portuguese-Spanish and native dance, and popular

representations, was created through the permanence of characteristics of African religious rituals, adapted to the cult of God

and the saints as depicted by Catholicism. The Divino, Nossa Senhora da Conceição, São Pedro, and São João festivals are

important parts of the lives of locals (Rebio, 2005). During the Holy Week, in the towns of Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas, and

Sabará, colorful made from pavements of sawdust, representing the Passion of the Christ, is represented. The jubilee of the

Piedade Range is an event to honor the patron saint of Minas Gerais. The carnival takes over the streets in many cities, with the

carnival character of “King Momo”, caricature groups, and samba schools. The “ora-pro-nobis” festival and often called “the

poor man‟s meat” due to its high protein content, is organised in Sabará, during the month of May. In Itabirito, every year there

is the Pastel do Angu festival, dedicated to celebrate a deep-fried

savoury pastry made out of cornmeal in the month of June. The pastry

or Pastelmay be filled with beef, chicken, dried salted cod fish, or

banana hearts.

Concerning still tourism, the capital Belo Horizonte has a rich

architecture in the modern style: the architectural complex of

Pampulha (Igreja de São Francisco de Assis, Museu de Arte,Casa do

Baile, and the Iate Tênis Clube), oneof the main landmarks of the city.

The complex wasdesigned by architect Oscar Niemeyer and built in the 1940s, and it became the most daring

accomplishment of the government of Juscelino Kubitschek, then the mayor of Belo Horizonte. It is registered as a historical site

by the state and federal Heritage Institutes, the series of buildings is a reference in modern architecture in Brazil and

worldwide.

The combination of cultural and environmental factors in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero makes it an adequate destination for

ecotourism, as well as for cultural, scientific, and geotourism.


GoldMuseum - Sabará

José Israel Abrantes

48

We intend to increase awareness of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark, with the publish of information and concepts, to

make it easier to understand, as well as to increase public participation. For that, technical-scientific events and workshops will

be conducted with local communities. Aside from that, traveling photography exhibits will happen in the towns included in the

Geopark, to display its rich geological resources and their significance.

4. Overview and policies for the sustainable development

4.1. Promotion of the geopark concept in the Quadrilatero Ferrifero region

4.2. Strenghtening and creation of international, national, and regional partnerships

4.2.1. Promotion of local development

We intend to develop actions to widen the network of strategic partners of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark in the

territory. For this purpose, we will formalize them through joint ventures of technical cooperation, or partnerships with the

mining industry and with local government, so as to provide the geosites with touristic and educational infrastructure.

Seeking cooperation through a network that promotes integrated actions, and strengthens the geopark concept, formal

partnerships through cooperation agreements will be developed with the Geopark Araripe, as well as with other Brazilian states

that are seeking candidacy: Serra da Bodoquena Geopark, and Campos Gerais Geopark. About geoparks outside Brazil, we

intend to establish partnerships with the geoparks that have already been visited by the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark

Promoting Group, out of which we highlight: Reserve Geologique de Haute Provence (France), Madonie (Italy), and Naturtejo

(Portugal), to promote an exchange of experience.

We intend to develop actions that value local products and craftsmanship, to promote territorial cohesion. We will focus

especially on those that directly relate to the geological resources: soapstone and itabirite. Several institutions are active in

Minas Gerais with programs for training, qualification, technical assistance, and quality control of products: SEBRAE, SENAC,

and CETEC. The current programs and projects developed by these institutions that relate to the geopark region will be

assessed.

49


To make geotourism more dynamic, we intend to implement the geotourism routes suggested by the project funded by PUC

Minas (2006) and Serviço Geológico do Brasil – CPRM (2008), as well as structuring a route where sites of mineral interest will be

prioritized, as suggested by Liccardo (2007). We also intend to create some circuits for visiting mines that developed throughout

history and that are now abandoned, such as Morro da Queimada Mine in Ouro Preto and Morro de Santo Antonio in Mariana.

For that, some areas will be selected to have interpretative panels, which will also be placed on some roads. Through a collective

effort the cultural and touristic resources of the Morro Velho and Córrego do Meio mines will be made more dynamic. To make

geological knowledge easier for tourists, support material such as folders, guidebooks, and catalogs will be created or reprinted.

Professionals that will work on the Geopark will be trained through partnerships with the Tourism departments of PUC Minas,

UFMG, and UFOP.

4.2.2. Making geotourism more dynamic

4.2.3. Developing educational programs

4.2.4. Promoting geoconservation

We intend to develop, launch, and contribute to educational projects adequate to the different levels of education. In this

context, we should highlight the development of the Projeto Rocha Amiga in a way adapted to the reality of the Quadrilátero

Ferrífero Geopark territory, and the contribution to educational actions that have already been developed by museums, which

are situated in the Geopark. To provide learning quality on the geological resources, the following programs will be

implemented: “Geopark goes to school”, and “School goes to Geopark”. To develop the educational programs, we will establish

partnerships with higher education institutions, with the development of extension projects.

The process of inventory of the geological sites of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero will continue, as well as the proposal of new

sites for the Comissão Brasileira de Sítios Geológicos e Paleobiológicos – SIGEP (Brazilian Committee for Geological and

Paleobiological Sites). Communication and partnerships with environmental agencies will be strengthened, so as to follow up on

the impact on the sites described. Partnerships with mining companies will be strengthened to promote recovery of degraded

areas, to be used for tourism and education.

50

During the preparation of the first Application Dossier of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark, which happened during the

year 2009, many actions were still in the planning stages, though the process of implementation had already started. However,

nowadays, several actions contained in the 3-5 Years Action Plan are already underway, such as:

a) Establishing partnerships with site managers, both public and private;

b) Deployment of signaling, through a partnership with the Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM;

c) Establishment of partnership with the Centre for Living Science of Estremoz and University of Lisbon (Portugal) for

development of educational programs;

d) Establishment of partnerships with a important social project of the Municipality of Belo Horizonte, the Vila Viva Project

(Living Village);

e) Inclusion of the Geopark in Metropolitan Development Plan of Belo Horizonte; and

f) Proposition and implementation of several projects, such as the Rocha Amiga Project, Implementation of the Reference

Center on Geological Heritage in the Natural History and Botanical Garden Museum of the Federal University of Minas Gerais and

Signalling and Education Program Project.

Projects in development linked to the Federal University of Ouro Preto – UFOP

a) Development of Research entitled "The geological heritage of the region of Ouro Preto and Mariana in the South of the

Quadrilátero Ferrífero (MG): scientific bases for tourism and sustainable actions in small communities," connected to the Centre

for Advanced Studies of the QF;

b) Development of a project entitled "Geological Expedition - Tourism in geological city of Ouro Preto", by Geoconsultoria

Junior, a company formed by students of the University; and

c) Development of a project entitled "Geology for all" in the Centre for Advanced Studies of the QF.

Presentation of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark

- Seminar on Geoparks (Sao Paulo, July/2009);

- Geological Reserve of Haute Provence (France, September 2009);

- European Congress of Geoparks (Portugal, September 2009);

- Workshop Ferriferous Quadrangle 2050 (Ouro Preto, September 2009)

- Actors Forum (Belo Horizonte, October/2009)

4.3. Implementedactions

51


5. Policies for, and examples of, community empowerment

Local craftspeople and schoolchildren are being included in the works involving setting up the Quadrilátero Ferrífero

Geopark. With regard to culture, the QF is an area of great cultural historical value and these matters are being worked in in

partnership with the state and municipal Offices of Culture, in addition to the integration of museums.

The communities involvement is being made in stages, in accordance with the established agenda of mobilizing

communities. The Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark has been presented and discussed in various communities around the sites

through workshops, conferences, events, meetings, presentation, etc.

- Seminar on Geoparks (Sao Paulo, July/2009);

- Workshop Ferriferous Quadrangle 2050 (Ouro Preto, September 2009)

- Actors Forum (Belo Horizonte, October/2009)

a) Participation in 3rd Workshop Ferriferous Quadrangle 2050 International Forum: Future Vision for the The Ferriferous

Quadrangle (2010).

b) Participation in Inovatec - Technological Innovation Fair (2009 and 2010);

c) Conducting workshops and exhibition "Soils: geodiversity meeting with biodiversity" during the 24thFantastic Children‟s

World. Partnership with the FederalUniversity of Viçosa and the Foundation of the Parks of the City of Belo Horizonte (2010).

d) Participation in the festivities of the Jubilee of the Shrine of Serra da Piedade (2009);

5.1. Presentation of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero Geopark

5.2. Other Accomplishments

Sites under implementation:

I – Sanctuary and Caraça Range;

I I – Sanctuary and Piedade Range;

III –Curral Range and Mangabeiras Park;

IV - Rola-Moça Range;

V –Itacolomi Peak;

VI – Gnaisse Cachoeira do Campo.

Companies invited to implement sites:

I – AngloGold Ashanti;

II – Ferrous;

III – Samarco.

52

e) Elaboration of

the Ferriferous Quadrangle Geopark website (2009);

g) Preparation of the Ferriferous Quadrangle Geopark application file for submission to UNESCO (2009)

h) Promotion of the Ferriferous Quadrangle Geopark Seminar: a new perspective for the use of geoscience heritage (2008).

6. Policies for, and examples of, public and stakeholder awareness

6.1. Actions of the Mineral and Metallurgic Pole of Excellence

The Mineral and Metallurgic Pole of Excellence is an institutional framework created by the Government of Minas Gerais,

through the SECTES, which brings together researchers, research and development, innovation, and education groups and

networks, with a goal of enhancing the performance of the mineral and metallurgy sectors. It connects the productive chains,

financing, and development institutions, government project managers, society, and international partners, to encourage

cooperation between production and demand of Research, Development, and Innovation, increasing competitivity and sustainabi-

lity for these industry sectors, and generating new business. The Pole aims for permanent responsible mining and metallurgy,

searching for new perspectives for the environment, for social responsibility, and for sustainability.

6.2.Quadrilatero Ferrifero Geopark Reference Centers

The installation and operation of Microregional Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark Reference Centers is the adopted to

overcome the large dimension of the Quadrlatero. The first center, already operational, that will be adopted as pilot, to optimize

functions and methodologies, is the Alto do Paraopeba Center, located in the town of Conselheiro Lafaiete. The Alto Paraopeba

Regions includes the following municipalities in the GPK: Congonhas, Ouro Branco and Belo Vale. Other locations being targeted

for new Reference Centres are Catas Altas, Mariana, Ibirite and Nova Lima.

53


In the year 2009, the Apllication Dossier of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark was sent to UNESCO with the support of

UNESCO Brazil and Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM. The Application Dossier was submitted to Dr. Celso Salatino Schenkel,

coordinator of the Natural Sciences of UNESCO in Brazil, in November 17, 2009. In addition, the dossier contained a signature

page that appeared with the support of:

• Prof. Dr. Marco Antônio Fonseca Regional Superintendent Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM, • Renato Ribeiro Ciminelli State Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Minas Gerais Executive Manager - Mineral and Metallurgic Pole of Excellence General Supervision - Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark Promoting Group Associate Researcher of Acqua Institut - Mineral Resources and Biodiversity Scientific-Technical Committee Scientific Supervision • Prof. Dr. Úrsula Ruchkys de Azevedo Coordinator - Scientific-Technical Committee Federal University of Minas Gerais Center for Advanced Studies of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero • Prof. Dr. Friedrich Ewald Renger Federal University of Minas Gerais Center for Advanced Studies of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero • Prof. Dr. Paulo de Tarso Amorim Castro Federal University of Ouro Preto Center for Advanced Studies of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero • Dr. Carlos Schobbenhaus Coordinator of Geoparks Project Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM

E – Interest and arguments for joining the GGN

55

Some of the most important research and education institutions of the Southeast of Brazil are located in the area

proposed for the geopark, such as UFMG, UFOP, and PUC Minas. These

Universities have several undergraduate and graduate courses that can

provide support to geopark, as well as develop research, and extension

projects. There are also other institutions that have demonstrated an interest

in the geology of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, from other parts of Brazil, among

which we may highlight USP, UnB, UNICAMP, UNESP Rio Claro, and UFRJ. The

natural and cultural richness of the Geopark have been constant source of

research and monitoring through covenants, projects, and contracts between the educational and research institutions, and

Conservation Units administrations, and local government. The results of these works are made available as to supply local and

regional demands, and have informed decisions for development policy, through partnerships between NGOs, government agen-

cies, the private sector, and educational institutions. There is a great number of doctoral theses, master‟s theses, and undergra-

duate theses that deal with the geology of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, and other related topics.

1. Scientific Support

The region is part of two touristic products that are already well-defined, and complement each other: the Circuito do Ouro

(http://www.circuitodoouro.org.br/) and the Estrada Real (http://www.estradareal.org.br/). The Circuito do Ouro (Gold Circuit) is

one of the products of tourism regionalization public policies in Minas Gerais, and the region is often given, according to the

demands of the cities that are part of it, projects and actions for tourism road signs, training, and improvement courses for

tourism services, awareness, creation of a strategic development plan, creation of specific tours, and promotion as a tourist

destination. The Instituto Estrada Real – IER has a series of initiatives for the promotion of the integrated development of

tourism in the Estrada Real (Royal Road), creating business opportunities for local industry.

2. Governmental Programs: Circuito do Ouro, Estrada Real

56

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero is world renowned for its scientific importance of Pre-Cambrian geology. Aside from that, its

mineral resources are a record of significant steps in the mining history of Minas Gerais and Brazil. Natural resources in the

Quadrilátero Ferrífero are part of several protected preservation areas, which include rock formations (related to the geological

resources), river courses, waterfalls, and native vegetation of varied ecosystems like Brazilian Tropical Savanna (Cerrado), fields

of altitude in ranges, and remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest.

3 National and international scientific relevance

4 UNESCO presence in the geopark

The area proposed for the geopark is recognized by UNESCO for its historical, cultural, and biological importance. Several

cities of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero are recognized as Brazilian historical and cultural heritage, like the cities of Mariana , Sabará,

Congonhas, and Ouro Preto, with the last two being considered world heritage since they preserve one of the largest amounts of

colonial architecture and monuments of Minas Gerais baroque.

In 2005, UNESCO recognized a part of the Man and Biosphere Program the Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve which occupies a

30,700 km2 area, and includes almost the entire area proposed for the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark. The region has been

recognized by research work in identification of biodiversity conservation priorities. Developed for all Brazilian biomes within

the National Program for Biological Diversity Conservation (PRONABIO), of the Ministry of the Environment, with co-funding by

GEF, these research indicated more than 300 priority areas throughout the country, one of them the Espinhaço Range (SEMAD,

2005).

4.1. Local development

The Quadrilátero Ferríferois undoubtedly one of the richest and most diversified regions in the world. Its

geological, geomorphological, historical, and biological importance justifies the adoption of measures that promote its territorial

development in an integrated way, to respect these resources.

57


The recognition of the area as a UNESCO Geopark, in a heavily mined area, will be remarkable for Minas Gerais and Brazil,

as it will reflect the importance of the establishment of a territorial development model that respects mining activites as well as

guarantees conservation of resources, and local development through activities connected to tourism and education. With the

creation of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark with the actions already developed by the Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve,

important areas of human and economic development will benefit. Among these we might mention folk art and tourism, which

combined work to increase the quality of living for several communities, promoting citizenship, and cooperation. These activities

were mentioned in the application document for the creation of the Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve. Folk art enables economic

development through a view of a social economy that focuses on creating jobs and income. In the geopark region, folk art is

expressed through crafts that use natural resources, among which we should highlight the use of rocks from waste dumps of

abandoned mines, such as soapstone and itabirite. These products are clearly associated with the geopark, and might become

more widely traded with its creation. Several other products featuring the geopark might be created and sold: stuffed rocks and

minerals, artifacts and jewelry, themed foods, among others. These products may be developed with the support of institutions

that have programs for training, qualification, technical assistance, and quality control of products, among which we highlight

the Support Service for Micro and Small Business - SEBRAE, National Service of Commercial Learning - SENAC and the Fundation

Center for Technology of Minas Gerais - CETEC..

4.2. Cooperation with existing geoparks or those being created in Brazil

Considering that Brazil has, as of 2009 only one UNESCO geopark, the Araripe Geopark, it is fundamental that strategies

for integration and cooperation between these are created, promoting the exchange of experiences, and the development of

integrated and joint programs. The government of the state of Ceará, where the Araripe Geopark is located, tries to encourage

the establishment of other geoparks in Brazil. The Quadrilátero FerríferoGeopark has a strategic geographical position in the

continental position of Brazil, and can therefore assume an integrative role, helping widen the network of geoparks in Brazil,

and forming and effective network of geoparks in Brazil, and in Latin America. As new geoparks are created in Brazil, the

proposal for integration also allows for the exchange of information, knowledge, and experiences among these geoparks,

promoting cooperative research, conservation, and the publicish of Brazilian natural resources, as well as promoting

sustainable development.

58

4.3. Potential for contribution to the World Network of Geoparks

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark is proposed in an area that has several active mines, which is a unique situation. The

idea is that the geopark may promote the development of the territory in an integrated manner, guaranteeing alternatives for

the communities once the mines are exhausted.

The unique characteristics of the geopark might allow for the creation of valuable knowledge for the configurations of

geoparks all over the world, with the development of actions that integrate conservation of the resources with their exploration.

The team responsible for the proposal intends to invite geoparks of the world for cooperation, as well as to take part in, and

promote technical-scientific and cultural events, such as workshops, congresses, seminars, and festivals.

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero Geopark is proposed for a territory where the historical occupation, social development, and

actions for conservation of environmental resources have all come together to create a favorable environment for the

development of research and the exchange of experience.

Ouro Preto

Daniel Mansur

59


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