The São Tomé Quartzites, Minas Gerais State, (Brazil)

This text was elaborated by geologist Cid Chiodi Filho (cdchiodi@terra.com.br), Kistemann & Chiodi Assessoria e Projetos. The primary data about exports were obtained starting from consultation to the Base ALICE of MDIC (Ministry of Development, Industry and External Trade)

Worldwide, Brazil is the 5th largest country in territorial extent and the 6th in population. Endowed with vast natural resources, Brazil is one of the ten largest mineral producers of the world.

Brazil is one of the largest producer and exporter of dimension stones on a worldwide scale, acting like a effectivel global player. In the world market, Brazil jumped from 12th place in the ranking of special processed stones exporters to the 5th place in 2004. Brazil thus accounted for 1.4% of the international special processed stones market in 1999, rising to 2.3% in 2001, to 2.9% in 2002, to 3.5% in 2003 and reached 5.0% in 2004.

BRAZIL IN THE INTERNATIONAL STONE MARKET – 2004

• 4th largest producer (8% of worldwide production)
• 6th largest exporter in volume terms (5.6% of the world total)
• 2nd largest exporter of raw granites (9% of the world total)
• 5th largest exporter of special processed stones (5% of the world total)
• 2nd largest exporter of slate (15.2% of the world total)

Source: Carlo Montani (Stone 2005) and ABIROCHAS (2005)

The states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais are the two principal Brazilian producers and exporters of dimension stones. Espírito Santo stands out in the granites and marbles segment, as well as Minas Gerais with slates, foliated quartzites and soapstone. Other important centers of production are the states of Bahia and Ceará, in the northeast region, with great variety of granites, massive quartzites, travertines and limestones.

THE DIMENSION OF THE BRAZILIAN STONE SECTOR – 2005

• 6.9 million tons of dimension stones produced
• 600 varieties sold in the domestic and overseas markets
• 1,600 dimension stone quarries
• 12,000 companies operating in the production chain
• 130,000 direct jobs in the sector
• Production capacity of 60 million m2 a year of special processed stones
• Domestic consumption of 58 million m2 (27 kg per capita), including simple processed stones
• US$ 790.0 million and 2.16 million tons exported
• Growth of 31.5% in value and 17.2% in volume of exports over 2004
• Exports of 15.7 million m2 equivalent of granite and marble slabs (2 cm thick)
• More than 900 exporting companies (overseas sales to more than 120 countries)