A importância do estágio atual e futuro de desenvolvimento do Paraná, de um “suprimento adequado” de insumos minerais é discutida frente a atual estrutura do setor mineral e possíveis demandas vindouras da indústria de transformação. Pela análise do segmento de calcário na Região Metropolitana de Curitiba - RMC, “carro-chefe” do setor mineral paranaense, verifica-se que há um descompasso entre o desenvolvimento deste setor e o do moderno parque industrial do estado. Entraves à evolução são devidos principalmente à insuficiência e dispersão do conhecimento geocientífico e tecnológico sobre os distritos mineiros, especialmente seus minérios e o meio físico envolvente, além dos conflitos ambientais e da disputa pelos territórios. A nova realidade de mercado exige políticas atualizadas para o setor mineral, incluindo legislações objetivas e coerentes e estruturas institucionais modernas e descentralizadas. Os pesquisadores, empreendedores e autoridades de planejamento e fiscalização deveriam dispor de: (a) documentação técnico-científica básica adequada; (b) sistemas de informações consolidados; (c) infra-estrutura física e (d) acesso a financiamentos. Tal base de apoio deverá permitir às autoridades ambientais e planejadores afiançar a segurança ambiental dos empreendimentos mineiros e seu desenvolvimento em harmonia com os demais tipos de ocupação do território. Conclui-se, então, que o poder público deve urgentemente criar as “condições básicas necessárias” para que o setor mineral paranaense possa se modernizar, diversificar e ampliar, integrando-se na nova realidade industrial paranaense. MINERAL EXPLORATION AND PARANA STATE DEVELOPMENT: THE CALCAREOUS ROCK SECTOR IN CURITIBA METROPOLITAN REGION Extended Abstract The importance for the current and future apprenticeship of Parana’s State development of “adequate supply” of mineral resources is discussed, facing the current mineral sector structure and possible demands generated by the State’s industrial evolution (Fig. 1). The mineral resources are the basic raw materials for the transformation industry, participating in a diversified range of industrial segments (Fig. 2). It can accumulate expressive values throughout a determined processing technological route which brings about important consequences for the economies in which it participates. In spite of the progress of globalization of the markets in the last decade, one the main vectors of the foreign policy of the developed countries is to guarantee the supply of strategic mineral resources for their economies. In Parana State, the largest geological vocation and production concerns the industrial rocks and minerals, highlighting calcareous rocks (Fig. 3), talc ores, ornamental rocks, clays, industrial sands, and attachés (sand and gravel). The Curitiba Metropolitan Region (CMR) is the main are exploiting and processing calcareous rocks, occupying the first place in domestic production (Fig. 4). Like wise, through the analysis of the calcareous rocks segment in CMR, a “driving force” of Parana’s mineral industry, the main are exploiting structural problems that inhibit the sector modernization were analyzed (Fig. 5) and suggested measures to minimize or eliminate them. Aspects were focused regarding the foreseen ability for the supplies, price and quality of the resources, as well as to the sustainability of this industrial segment face to the modern technological and environmental questions and of territorial occupation (Tab. 1). Considering the current profile and dimension of the mineral sector comparatively to the evolution and complexity already reached by Parana transformation industry, there is a contrasting difference between the development of that sector and current industrial park of the State. It is known that the geoscientific and technological existent knowledge on ores exploitation and routes for mineral processing are located in insufficient levels and dispersed, not configuring density for the growth, diversification and modernization of the sector (Tab. 2). Most enterprises will not reach competitive efficiency levels (Fig. 6), which is reflected in the quantity and quality of the exploited ores and produced resources. In the case of CMR, besides the mining conflicts versus environment, the pressures of the urban expansion on sites traditionally reserved for mining are evident. With such a knowledge and problems, allied to the current management and operational organization it is very unlikely to overcome the barriers of sustainable sector development. Impediments are due mainly to: (a) lack of geoscientific and technological knowledge about the mining districts, especially their ores and the involving landscapes and (b) environmental conflicts and the dispute for territories (Fig. 5). To accelerate the insertion of the mineral sector of Paraná in the new reality of the markets, impelling its modernization, expansion and competitiveness, the existence of updated policies are necessary including objective and coherent legislations and modern institutional structures. The State should provide to researchers, entrepreneurs, planning and inspecting authorities: (a) adequate basic technical-scientific documentation, (b) consolidated information systems, (c) physical infrastructure and (d) fundings access (Fig. 7). Such policies, essential to the planning and integrated development of the State, should be translated to programs and projects multi and inter-institutional, seeking for existent productive chains (Fig. 8). The focus of the actions should be the knowledge and valve of mineral raw materials, seeking to enlarge and diversify their technological and marketing possibilities. The knowledge deptal on the landscapes allied to the planning of the geographical space will allow to the authorities and planners to secure the environmental safety of the mining enterprises and their development in harmony with other types of territorial occupation. It is concluded, then, that the State should urgently create the “necessary basic conditions” so that the Parana mineral sector should be modernized, diversified and grown. The public policies should have in the “adequate supply” of mineral goods, strategic elements for the development of the State.
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