Based on sustainable development principles, this paper evaluates artisanal gold mining activity in Engenho Podre. This study followed the hypothesis that the implementation of environmental management according to a conduct adjustment agreement firmed by the Cooperativa dos Garimpeiros de Mariana (COOPERGAMA), associated with operational performance improvement would permit continuation of this activity in a sustainable way from the environmental, socioeconomic and cultural point of view. Although still illegal, from the technical point of view, the artisanal mining at Engenho Podre is adopting environmentally-accepted strategies to promote reasonable socioeconomic development. However, administrative issues and lack of investments still affect the sustainability of such practices in the long-term. This paper shows that when good administrative and environmental practices are adopted, it is possible to meet the sustainable development principles in an artisanal mining activity.
Sustainable development; artisanal gold mining; Environment
