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Graph+ Mining Project Promises to Revolutionize the Local Economy and Transform Santa Maria do Salto with a Large Mining Enterprise!
The Vale do Jequitinhonha, historically known for its economic challenges, is about to gain a new boost. Graph+, a subsidiary of the mining company New Mining, announced a massive investment of R$ 200 million in the extraction of graphite in Santa Maria do Salto. The plan aims not only to strengthen the mining sector in the region but also to create 300 direct jobs by 2030. This announcement was made during Exposibram 2024, one of the largest events in the mining sector, and is expected to bring significant changes to the city, according to the website otempo.
Jobs and Economic Development on the Horizon
The good news is that the project will not take long to start generating jobs. According to Graph+, 200 temporary positions will be opened between 2025 and 2028. Starting in 2030, this number will jump to 300 permanent positions. In other words, not only will the city have more job opportunities, but it will also see an increase in the qualification of the local workforce and, of course, in family incomes.
This growth in job offerings comes to boost the economy of a region that, historically, has faced challenges. Additionally, there is an expectation that companies related to the sector, such as material and service providers, will also benefit, creating a cascading effect on local development.
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The Investment Trajectory: From 2020 to 2030
This is not a project that came out of nowhere. The timeline of the mining company New Mining began a few years ago, in 2020, when the first geological, metallurgical, and environmental studies were conducted. In this initial phase, the company had already spent R$ 4 million. Now, the next step, between 2025 and 2026, involves the development and licensing of the graphite plant, with an investment of an additional R$ 16 million.
“It’s a marathon, not a 100-meter sprint“, joked one of the company’s engineers while explaining the long-term planning. The large investment of R$ 200 million will be made in the final stage, between 2027 and 2028, when the construction of the plant will be completed, and operations can finally begin.
Why Is Graphite the Gold of the Future?
The graphite ore has gained increasing prominence on the global stage due to its importance for various industries, including the battery industry, a key component for the global energy transition. Graphite is one of the main components used in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, essential for electric cars, mobile phones, and many other electronic devices.
The choice of Vale do Jequitinhonha for this strategic plant was not accidental. The region is rich in natural resources, and the graphite found in Santa Maria do Salto has high-quality characteristics, ideal to meet growing global demand. Thus, the project by Graph+ puts the city on the global mining map, elevating its importance in the commodities market.
Socioeconomic Impact and Sustainability
In addition to boosting the local economy, Graph+ ensures that the mining project will be developed in a sustainable manner. The mining company is committed to complying with all environmental and social standards, considering the impact that an enterprise of this scale can have on the community and the environment. “Our focus is to develop mining responsibly, ensuring benefits for society and minimizing negative impacts“, states a company representative.
Mining can be seen as an opportunity to transform Santa Maria do Salto and the entire Vale do Jequitinhonha. With more jobs, better infrastructure, and, of course, a good dose of hope, the city can shift from a scenario of hardship to a promising hub for the mining industry in Brazil.
300 empregos pra uma empresa gringa **** o meio ambiente, vão pagar pouco e destruir o meio ambiente, isso aí é que nem a mineração de carvão q queriam fazer no rs e o povo não deixou, onde que mineração revoluciona alguma coisa, é coisa mais velha do mundo, essa ideia de fazer mineração sustentável é o mesmo papo da vale ser sustentável e o mariana ainda ta toda cheia de lama tóxica.
O dinheiro destruindo coisas belas!
Vai ficar só o passivo, viramos colônia internacional.salários de subsistência.
Isso é o Grafeno sendo exportado como grafite , o peso por quilo vale mais que ouro