Inventory of geosites located in the RPPN Archaeological Site Mina de Cata Branca (Itabirito-MG, Brazil)

Abstract

Studies on geodiversity and geoconservation in the state of Minas Gerais intensified sharply in the first decades of the 21st century. Some of these studies were carried out in the municipality of Itabirito, inserted in the central portion of the Iron Quadrangle. There are still few studies that propose mechanisms for the protection and sustainable use of natural resources, aiming at geoconservation. Equally important is mapping the territory to identify elements of geodiversity, establishing areas with a greater concentration of these, with potential for the development of geotourism and ecotourism circuits, with the implementation of geotrails. Geological heritage does not have the power to regenerate in the short term, so once destroyed, part of the memory of the evolution of planet Earth is lost with it. In this way, geoconservation is relevant, mainly in an environment of mining activities. The objective of this work is to carry out mapping of Geosites and Sites of Interest of Geodiversity, inserted in the Private Reserve of Natural Protection - RPPN Cata Branca Archaeological Site, analyzing the feasibility of implanting a Geomuseum in the study area. After carrying out a cadastral inventory, 30 geosites were identified in the study area. The buildings present in the Geosites: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21 and 25, all designed using the mineral deposits present in the region, recount the emergence of a geomining heritage of very high geodiversity. This fact, associated with the significant number of inventoried geosites (30) within the study area, and the vectorization of the 5 sections that make up the Centenary Route, demonstrate that the study area has characteristics that place it as a potential for the creation of the Itabirito’s Geomuseum.