NONMETALLIC mineral resources, albeit very important for the needs of the population and for exportation, are ill-favored by governmental actions and ignored by the public. Generally not included in territorial planning, the mining of nonmetallic minerals in Brazil produces extensive, ill-controlled environmental impacts. A coordinated action of promotion and control, both patrimonial and environmental of mining, is proposed. This will only be achieved by political action, which depends on a more comprehensive education of mining professionals and on a greater communication by them with the population as a whole.
