Gold Mining in the Cerrado of Goiás

a Demographic Analysis of Pilar de Goiás

Abstract

Pilar de Goiás is a municipality in Goiás located in the Cerrado area, established in the 18th century, during the height of gold mining. The phases of mineral exploration in this location went through several processes, from the 18th century to the present day, that is, from the bandeiras expeditions to the establishment of large corporate and international extractive companies. With a trajectory that goes from peak to decline, from rudimentary alluvial mining techniques to the use of modern technologies with industrial machinery, Pilar de Goiás, first a settlement, then a village, and finally elevated to the status of municipality, experienced rapid and limited development, interrupted by the decline of gold and, simultaneously, by the decrease in population. The aim of this research was to analyze the factors resulting from the depletion of gold deposits in Pilar de Goiás, which led to the population decrease in the municipality. The research was developed within the scope of the subject Geography of Large Projects in the Territories of the Cerrado, linked to the Graduate Program in Geography at the Federal University of Tocantins. The methodology used was based on a bibliographic review of articles and books, data collection from sources such as IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), interviews, dialogues, direct observation, research in online newspapers, and photographic records. Currently, the city hall of Pilar de Goiás announced a budget revenue deficit due to the failure of the mining company Pilar Gold to pay taxes. Thus, even in the 21st century, the negative effects of mining booms persist, showing that many municipalities develop an economy heavily dependent on activities related to mining.