Radon is a chemically inert noble radioactive gas found in several radioactive decay chains. In underground mines, especially those that contain or have contained ores associated with uranium-bearing minerals, workers might be exposed to high levels of radon and its decay products (RDP). This work aims to investigate whether the exposure of workers to radon gas and its progeny has been evaluated in Brazilian non-uranium and non-thorium underground mines. Any such results and control measures undertaken or recommended to maintain concentrations under Brazilian occupational exposure limits (OELs) are documented. The methodology we adopted consists of three main phases. The first was an extensive bibliographical survey of the concentration levels of radon and RDP, as well as the radiation dose estimates, considering measurements made heretofore by various Brazilian researchers and exhibiting original measurement work undertaken by the one of the authors (mine O). In the second phase, the values obtained were compared with OELs. In the third phase, any control measures undertaken in mines with high exposure of workers to radon and its progeny were verified, and the adopted controls were determined. Radon concentration data obtained from 52 campaigns in 40 underground mines were analyzed. The results show that assessment of the exposure of workers to radon and its progeny was undertaken in many mines at least once, and that radon levels in 62.5% of the mines, when visited for the first time, were below the Brazilian OELs. As expected, the main control measure adopted or recommended was improvement of the ventilation system.

Mining plays an important role in Brazilian exports. On the other hand, large urban centers like São Paulo, with approximately 21 million inhabitants, also demand an increasing domestic consumption of natural resources, such as construction aggregate. There are many quarries located in the surroundings of urban centers in Brazil, competing with the growth of urbanized areas. Such proximity leads to a series of conflicts involving quarries and surrounding communities, where the increase in noise levels is highlighted. Operations in quarries, in general, are intermittent. Noisier equipment, such as drilling rigs and primary crushers, operates only a few hours during the day, while other operations, such as screening and secondary and tertiary crushing, are more constant. This paper presents a study carried out in a quarry located near São Paulo, where in addition to conventional short term noise measurements at surrounding receptors, one noise monitoring station was installed, allowing to identify the noisiest moments during the quarry operating time. Through data transmitted by wireless technology, it was possible to follow the noise variations emitted from mining activities in real time and observe the noisiest events that were recorded for events that exceeded the established standards. A mobile application associated to this monitoring station facilitated the quarry's manager and employees to access immediately the monitoring information. Therefore, by using this system, it was possible to evaluate the effectiveness of noise reduction measures already taken and indicate what steps still need to be held.

AGRADECIMENTOSUma das grandes alavancas do desenvolvimento pessoal é a contribuição de pessoas que são partes do nosso ciclo de relação. Essas contribuições, muitas vezes imperceptíveis, se manifestam de diversas maneiras. Podem ser o combustível que oferece incentivo, coragem e confiança para seguir adiante. Outras vezes, surgem na forma de oportunidades de experimentar ou na oferta de críticas e sugestões de aperfeiçoamento e de melhoria. Agradeço às pessoas que contribuíram, à sua maneira, para que o desenvolvimento dessa metodologia, notadamente a Arthur Braga Pfizer, Fabio Gledson Belasco, Fábio de Toledo Piza, Gilso Scarparo, José Mário Castão, Márcia Palomares e Rosane Büttgen pela oportunidade de aprendizado. Em especial, agradeço aos amigos e orientadores Prof. Dr. Sérgio Médici de Eston e Prof. Dr. Wilson Siguemasa Iramina pela ajuda, pela orientação e pela confiança e, à minha querida esposa, companheira e amiga Maria Luiza, pelo incentivo, compreensão e contribuiç ão desenvolvimento desse trabalho e na materialização desse sonho. SUMÁRIO Pág. LISTAS DE FIGURAS LISTA DE EQUAÇÕES LISTA DE ABREVIATURAS E SIGLAS RESUMO ABSTRACT 1 INTRODUÇÃO.

Any human activity causes environmental degradation, resulting in a continuous deterioration of environmental quality (water, air or soil). While mining is also an activity that causes degradation of the environment, it is essential for the continuity of life as it is known. On the other hand, paradoxically, by keeping life in this way, we are contributing to its cessation. This leads us to look for alternatives to reduce the impact of mining activities. The Reclamation of degraded areas may be an alternative, as it can mitigate the current picture of continuous environmental degradation.However, Degraded Areas not always follow a mining operation. This article presents a case where mining is the tool used to technically and financially allow the Reclamation of a degraded area.keywords: Mining, Degradation Areas, Reclamation of Degraded Areas. Resumo Qualquer atividade humana provoca degradação ambiental, resultando em contínua deterioração da qualidade ambiental (da água, do ar ou do solo). A mine-