Environmental management model for small mining companies

This study was carried out as part of the Production Engineering project of the COPPE/UFRJ postgraduate program, under the Environmental Management research line. As a case study, we looked at a small imperial topaz mine located in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, which was being inspected by the State Environmental Agency, with the risk of its possible closure. A partnership agreement was signed between the company and the Mining Engineering Department of the School of Mines at the Federal University of Ouro Preto, in order to implement the model proposed here. The result was acceptance of the proposed measures by the Environmental Agency, which renewed the company’s operating license.