As a gold and diamonds exploration company, the Mineração Rio Novo, Andrade Gutierrez partner, has developed a model program in the practice of environmental recovery in areas impacted by diamond mining.

Winner of Minas Ecologia Award in 1996, conferred by the Mining Association of Environmental Defense (AMDA) and the Unicentro Newton de Paiva to Mineração Rio Novo (MRN) in the category flora. Developed with the Brandt’s technical support, the project lasted 20 years and had exemplary results.

Technological innovation

Under Brandt's technical and implementation coordination and MRN’s execution, the project involved a multidisciplinary team of scientists and specialists who have realized an assessment of environmental resources, with details about the actual impacts, potential and socioeconomic of the area, aiming the harmony between the mining activity and the environmental quality, showing new socio-economic alternatives for the region.

A German technology has provided new perspectives for the regeneration of the flora of the region in the dry season. It is a polymer, called TERRACOTTEM, excellent recovering semi-arid and semi-desert areas in the world. Tested for the first time in Brazil, the product has brought satisfactory results.

All the tree nursery of the Mineração Rio Novo has been reworded, changing the function to a living laboratory and species nursery, where reproductions have been obtained from seeds collected in the place. The company also did a great effort of planting and replanting, which reached four times or more in difficult areas.

Through the finding that vegetation established was discontinuous, have been deployed the work with bioindicators invertebrates, that consists of obtaining data of abundance, relative frequency, composition and biological value of species. Allowing analysis, consistent statistics and effective conclusions about the regeneration rate of the stains that appeared in the soil.

At the same time, the project has developed campaigns to stimulating the local population, encouraging alternative land use and providing simple and practical solutions to domestic fishing, pork flock and fruiting of several species adapted to regional restrictions. For the small investor, options for agroforestry have been shown.

The Domingas Project represents a model of environmental management and development, recognized by the governmental agencies of the state. It was a partnership of integrated work and sustainable development.