278 KEYWORDS Circular Mining, Tailings, Waste, Iron Ore 1. INTRODUCTION The theory of circularity in the economy arises from the need to rethink efficiency for the planet’s sustainability in the future, as opposed to a linear economy driven by extraction, production, and disposal—a reasoning useful for cause-and-effect problems but potentially harmful for complex and dynamic issues such as climate change. Sustainable exploration of mineral resources involves practices that balance the need for resource extraction with environmental protection and the well-being of local communities. It is crucial that the mining industry contribute positively to economic development, guaranteeing that mineral resources are used efficiently and remain available for future generations. Circular economy in mining is an approach that seeks to transform the life cycle of minerals—from extraction to disposal—into a more sustainable process. The focus is on reducing, reusing, and optimizing mineral resources and reserves, promoting the longevity of these finite resources. Ken Webster (2017), a pioneer in the theory, defines circular economy as “the possibilities of abundance, of meeting people’s needs by eliminating waste and recreating the kind of elegant abundance so evident in living systems”. According to ISO 59004:2024 standard, circular economy is described as an economic system based on the strategic use of resources, where materials are continuously recovered, retained, or valorized to ensure their permanence in the production cycle. The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) highlights circular economy as a system that maximizes the value of materials and products throughout their life cycle, minimizing environmental impacts, reducing waste, and restricting harmful emissions. In Brazil, Decree No. 12,082 of June 27, 2024, establishes the National Circular Economy Strategy, defining it as a model of production and consumption that seeks to preserve resources within the economic system for as long as possible, including mining resources. The mining industry is one of the main economic sectors of Brazil, specifically for iron ore extraction. As one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of iron ore, Brazil is a key supplier to steelmakers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The history of iron ore in Brazil is intertwined with the very history of the country and saw significant development in the 1940s with the creation of a state mining company, the then Companhia Vale do Rio Doce in Itabira city, Minas Gerais state. In the years that followed, several mines were opened in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (Minas Gerais state) and Carajás (Pará state), and the production always sought high-grade ores. The plants operated with wet processing, which generated tailings, and consequently, several dams were built to contain these. Lower-grade ores were also deposited in waste rock piles.
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