Abstract Nowadays, Nexa Resources (ex-Votorantim Metais) operates two zinc mines in Brazil, represented by the Vazante unit in Vazante - MG and the Morro Agudo unit in Paracatu - MG. The present study was carried out at the Vazante unit, where zinc concentrate is produced from a silicate ore called Willemite (Zn2SiO4) through froth flotation processes. The two main objectives of the study were the determination of the maximum zinc recovery that could be obtained in flotation bench tests with specific controlled conditions and the mineral characterization of the tailings generated, using a SEM/EDS (scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy) with MLA (mineral liberation analyzer). The flotation results showed a maximum recovery of 91.91 % with 1.68 % of zinc in the tailings after an eleven-minute flotation. Considering the mean results of all the tests, the maximum zinc recovery obtained was 91.07 % with 1.75 % zinc grade in the tailings. Mineral characterization analysis showed that zinc minerals besides Willemite, such as Gahnite and Franklinite are present in the zinc tailings. In addition, the analysis demonstrated that the Willemite present in the tailings is very fine (80 % < 0.015 mm) and well liberated. With no liberation problems, it was concluded that the main reason responsible for preventing zinc recovery to increase even more along the flotation tests was the presence of the extremely fine Willemite minerals. The test results showed that, to increase zinc recovery, two main processes needed to be considered. The grinding process, that will need to be improved and carefully revised to reduce Willemite fine grain size generation; and the flotation process, regarding bubble formation, reagent addition, resident time and a redesign of flotation machines, aiming to increase the recovery of extremely fine Willemite ore particles.

Este trabalho é uma tentativa de empreender uma exploração inicial do tema da Propriedade em terreiros de candomblé, onde procuro fornecer algumas linhas de força para um aprofundamento do debate, não apenas no campo dos estudos da Antropologia da Economia, mas de suas interfaces com o campo de estudos da Religião. A noção de propriedade aparece aqui relacionada de forma íntima com aspectos cosmológicos do candomblé e se traduz em relações sociais mediadas por categorias como clientela religiosa, ajuda, família de santo e axé. O material etnográfico está organizado sob a forma de cenas sociais, segundo a proposição de F. Weber (2001). As cenas sociais que iluminam a discussão sobre a propriedade abordam questões que envolvem a posse de objetos e a propriedade sobre os terrenos onde são instalados os candomblés.

This work is an attempt to undertake a initial exploration of the subject property in the terreiros of Candomblé, where I try to provide some lines to deepening of the debate, not only in the field of the studies of Anthropology of Economy, but of their interfaces with the field Religion Studies. The concept of ownership appears here so intimately linked with aspects of the Cosmological prepared and is translated into social relationships mediated by religious categories as clientela, ajuda, família de santo and axé (Baptista 2007). The ethnographic material is organized in the form of social scenes, according to the proposition of F. Weber (2001). The social scenes that illuminate the discussion on the property address issues involving the possession and ownership of objects on the land where they are installed the candomblés.

O artigo investiga o sentido das relações de troca que envolvem o uso de dinheiro entre os adeptos do candomblé. Essas relações, que ocorrem no âmbito de uma "família de santo", acionam aspectos simbólicos advindos de uma conexão com as coisas sagradas. Estudo aqui a linha tênue em que uma economia do dom ou da graça se confunde constantemente com o mundo dos interesses, assim como estes últimos podem às vezes mobilizar aspectos ligados à graça divina. Tento perceber nessas relações mediadas por dinheiro não apenas os limites imprecisos entre dom e interesse, mas o vasto campo no qual se processam as trocas entre os agentes sociais. Numa percepção mais ampla das questões aqui sugeridas, este trabalho tem como objetivo compreender o sentido social do dinheiro nas relações que constituem a experiência e a prática religiosas.

The article investigates the meaning of exchange relations involving the use of money among followers of candomblé. These relations, which unfold within the space of a ‘saint family,’ activate symbolic dimensions that derive from a connection with the sacred. Here I study the border zone where an economy of the gift or grace continually merges with the world of interests, just as the latter sometimes mobilizes aspects linked to divine grace. Examining these relations mediated by money, I try to expose not only the imprecise limits between gift and interest, but the vast field in which the exchanges between social agents are processed. Adopting a wider perspective on the questions raised here, the text aims to comprehend the social meaning of money in the relations that constitute religious experience and practice.

O artigo investiga o sentido das relações de troca que envolvem o uso de dinheiro entre os adeptos do candomblé. Essas relações, que ocorrem no âmbito de uma "família de santo", acionam aspectos simbólicos advindos de uma conexão com as coisas sagradas. Estudo aqui a linha tênue em que uma economia do dom ou da graça se confunde constantemente com o mundo dos interesses, assim como estes últimos podem às vezes mobilizar aspectos ligados à graça divina. Tento perceber nessas relações mediadas por dinheiro não apenas os limites imprecisos entre dom e interesse, mas o vasto campo no qual se processam as trocas entre os agentes sociais. Numa percepção mais ampla das questões aqui sugeridas, este trabalho tem como objetivo compreender o sentido social do dinheiro nas relações que constituem a experiência e a prática religiosas.

The article investigates the meaning of exchange relations involving the use of money among followers of candomblé. These relations, which unfold within the space of a saint family, activate symbolic dimensions that derive from a connection with the sacred. Here I study the border zone where an economy of the gift or grace continually merges with the world of interests, just as the latter sometimes mobilizes aspects linked to divine grace. Examining these relations mediated by money, I try to expose not only the imprecise limits between gift and interest, but the vast field in which the exchanges between social agents are processed. Adopting a wider perspective on the questions raised here, the text aims to comprehend the social meaning of money in the relations that constitute religious experience and practice.