Território minerador no sudeste goiano: comunicação socioambiental e relação com as comunidades rurais nos municípios de Catalão e Ouvidor - 2019 a 2023

Abstract

The mineral potential of the Brazilian subsoil produces a robust industrial scenario, which places Brazil among the five largest mineral producers in the world, so that the sector plays a leading role in the country's economic composition. The mineral extraction process occurs through the appropriation of territories where mineral deposits are located, resulting in environmental interventions and new socioeconomic orders imposed on communities. The activity causes the deterritorialization of family farmers in rural areas, who depend on the use of land and possession of the territory to guarantee their social reproduction. This scenario is present in the municipalities of Catalão and Ouvidor, located in the Southeast of the State of Goiás, where since the 1970s, transnational companies have been extracting Niobium and Phosphate. The establishment of relationships and communication between subjects is a determining factor in the dynamics of the territory, as, based on discussions between the parties, the negotiations that will direct the future of the communities are defined. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze and interpret the organizational and communicational strategies adopted by producers to face large companies, and, likewise, the channels used by entrepreneurs to dialogue with communities. The study area included communities surrounding mining in both municipalities, but especially the communities of Coqueiro and Macaúba, located in Catalão (GO), and Coruja and Ouvidor dos Cláudios, located in Ouvidor (GO). The analysis was carried out based on 97 publications from the local press, from 2019 to 2023 relating to the relationship between communities and mining companies in the study area. The dialogue process still appears to be fragile and, at some point, confrontational, but it is present in the relationship between the subjects, with efforts on both sides. The topics of discussion revolves around environmental impacts and land issues. There is an inequality in communication, in which companies have a privileged position, as they have resources. This gap requires articulation between communities in establishing a relationship that produces real spaces for dialogue regarding the territorial effects resulting from mining. The dialogue needs to be improved and will only be effective if there are, on the part of the companies, real actions in the environmental and socioeconomic preservation of the territories where they are present.