CAMPONESES E DIREITOS HUMANOS

REFLEXÕES SOBRE AS ATIVIDADES MINERADORAS NO MUNICÍPIO DE CATALÃO (GO)

Abstract

Mining in Catalão (GO) emerges as a central yet controversial economic activity, characterized by significant impacts on peasant populations and the environment. This study examines the effects of phosphate mining in the region, driven by technological advancements and geopolitical and economic interests concerning peasants. The Catalão-Ouvidor Mining-Chemical Complex, emblematic of this development, has brought adverse consequences to land surface, subsurface, and nearby rural and urban communities. The article adopts the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants as a reference to understand these populations, whose livelihoods and way of life are deeply connected to the land. Bibliographic research reveals a complex landscape of human rights violations documented in theses, dissertations, and articles, highlighting the contentious relationship between mining companies' interests, the state, and the rights of peasant communities. The first section of the study examines the ethical and practical dilemmas of mining in Catalão, emphasizing conflicts between capital interests and local community rights. The second section focuses on the human rights of peasant peoples, underscoring the responsibility of companies and the state in promoting dignified living conditions and mitigating negative socio-environmental impacts. It is concluded that mining in Catalão has not only transformed the economic and environmental landscape of the region but also exacerbated social inequalities and compromised the fundamental rights of peasant communities. The study points to the Brazilian state's neglectful stance in addressing the situation.