CARACTERIZAÇÃO QUÍMICA E MINERALÓGICA DOS RESÍDUOS DA MINERAÇÃO DE GIPSITA NO SEMIÁRIDO PERNAMBUCANO

ABSTRACT One of the main sources of environmental impacts related to extraction activities are gypsum waste piles, conventionally disposed in the area of direct influence of the mining venture, they consist of thin materials from blasting and part of waste removed in the mining operation. By offering a granulometry that limits their application range, it is necessary to know the properties of the waste and take advantage of them as an alternative to mitigate the inconvenience involved in their disposal, thus contributing to the economic and social development of the semi-arid of Pernambuco. The waste samples were characterized using x-ray diffraction techniques (XRD), x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), coupled to an energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The analyzed sample results show potential characteristics to use gypsum and calcite material to correct the soil acidity, since it contains significant sulfur and calcium grades, highlighting that these elements are essential to soil nutrition and fertility. [...]it implies the entire utilization of these fine mineral particles for the purpose to product seedling in order to supply reclamation of degraded area, agroforestry systems and production of energy matrix.