Carajás

Carajás is a region in the state of Pará, Brazil, centered on the Serra dos Carajás mountain range. The name is used for the mining complex and nearby settlements, notably in the area around Parauapebas and Canaã dos Carajás. The region is most famous for the Serra dos Carajás iron ore deposit and the mining operations there, run by Vale.

Geography and protected areas: The Serra dos Carajás lies in southeastern Pará within the Amazon biome. The area includes the Carajás National Forest, a federal protected area established to balance sustainable use of forest resources with industrial activity and conservation.

Economy and mining: The Carajás ore deposit is one of the highest-grade iron ore resources in the world and has long been a cornerstone of Brazil’s mineral exports. Extraction began in the 1980s, supported by the Carajás Railroad, which connects the mine to Atlantic ports. Ore is exported mainly through facilities on the Atlantic coast, including the port of São Luís, among others.

History: The ore deposit was identified in the mid-20th century and development proceeded under Vale, with the mine entering substantial production in the 1980s. The project spurred regional growth and infrastructure development, while provoking ongoing environmental and social considerations surrounding mining in the Amazon.

See also: Serra dos Carajás; Carajás Mine; Ferrovia Carajás (Carajás Railroad); Floresta Nacional de Carajás (Carajás National Forest).