Analysis of socioenvironmental disasters in the context of large-scale mining in minas Gerais, Brazil, under the prism of green criminology

Análisis de los desastres socioambientales en el contexto de la gran minería en minas Gerais, Brasil, bajo el prisma de la criminología verde

The study focused on analyzing socio-environmental disasters resulting from mining activities in Minas Gerais, Brazil, through the lens of Green Criminology. Using the hypothetical-deductive method, the research sought to identify alternative and falsifiable hypotheses, allowing for a critical analysis of the issues in question. Minas Gerais plays a crucial role in iron ore production, contributing significantly to the Brazilian and global economy. The most notorious disasters include the collapse of tailings dams, the contamination of rivers and the negative impact on the quality of life of local communities. These growing concerns require an in-depth and critical analysis to understand the criminal and socio-environmental dimensions present in the context of mining. In order to achieve the general objective of this research, specific objectives were established. Firstly, the study sought to contextualize large-scale mining in Brazil, highlighting its economic importance and the social and environmental implications related to this activity. The research also investigated the adherence of Green Criminology to the reality of mining, considering the legal and criminological implications involved. In addition, it explored the connections between crimes committed by powerful entities in the mining sector and the Green Criminology approach. The application of damage theory was highlighted as an analytical tool to examine the wider implications of these practices. The conclusion of this study highlights the need for a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to dealing with the challenges of large-scale mining and the resulting socio-environmental disasters. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of assessing the different individual responsibilities in relation to environmental damage and highlights the need for a critical analysis of the relationships between power, crime and social harm, especially in the context of the mining industry and socio-environmental issues.