Achada do Gamo, Mina de São Domingos

Achada do Gamo, since the beginning of modern mining activities in the Sao Domingos Mine, has been the centre of the metal working activities conducted in relation to the extracted minerals. During the initial laboratory phase, and in accordance with the technical paradigm at the time (3rd Quarter of the 19th century), the metallurgical treatment process of copper pyrites preferentially utilised sintering, in other words, the roasting in ovens or in kilns. As part of this process, the sulphur contained in the pyrite was released. As normally this substance accounted for half of the volume of the material, it was released into the atmosphere in its oxidized form. There are therefore three important consequences: The volume and mass of the ore is reduced to about half, improving operability and increasing its inherent value; the sulphur contained in the pyrite is lost through the consequential dissipation of the value which could have been generated from the production of materials such as sulphuric acid; the sulphur released into the atmosphere destroys almost all the biological life present in the ecosystems affected by the fumes which result from the sintering. As such as a result of the fumes released by the ovens and kilns installed during the 19th century in Achada do Gamo, indemnities were paid to the affected agricultural entities. With the reconversion of metallurgy to wet processes, Achada do Gamo continued to be the central point for transformation of extracted mining products in São Domingos. A system of channels and cementation tanks was built in 1877 for the production of copper concentrates by precipitation. During the 20th century, between 1930s and 1940s, a new direction was taken in industrial exploration: sulphur, already highly valued, began to be extracted from copper pyrite through the use of ovens (Orkla Process) in two manufacturing facilities installed in the Achada do Gamo during the years 1934 and 1943. The impact of these activities on the environment is the clearest and most obvious statement to be made by those who travel through this territory. It is also that which makes this landscape so extraordinarily sterile and attractive.

Ruinas da Fábrica de enxofre na Achada do Gamo Norte

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Fábrica de enxofre na Achada do Gamo Norte (meados do séc. XX)

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Chaminé da fábrica de enxofre na Achada do Gamo Norte

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Fábrica de enxofre na Achada do Gamo Sul (meados do séc. XX)

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Zona de carga ferroviária na Achada do Gamo Norte

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Achada do Gamo 01

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Achada do gamo 02

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Achada do gamo 03

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Achada do Gamo 04

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