Nova Lima

Nova Lima is a municipality located in the south-eastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, positioned about 20 kilometers south of Belo Horizonte. The city accommodates a population of about 121,000 people within the mesoregion Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte and the microregion of Belo Horizonte.

Protected Landscapes and Neighborhood Geography

The municipal landscape encompasses significant protected terrain and natural reserves. The municipality contains the 912 hectares Mata do Jambreiro Private Natural Heritage Reserve, which operates as a protected area managed by the State Forestry Institute alongside the MBR mining company. Additionally, the geography includes part of the 3,941 hectares Serra do Rola-Moça State Park, which was established in 1994, as well as a small portion of the 31,270 hectares Serra do Gandarela National Park, created in 2014.

Nova Lima is a municipality situated in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, with a population of approximately 121,000 residents. The city is located about 20 kilometers south of Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais.

Historically, the municipality was known under the names Campos de Congonhas, Congonhas de Sabará, and, until 1923, Villa Nova de Lima. The landscape of the area features significant elevations and protected natural environments, including the 912-hectare Mata do Jambreiro Private Natural Heritage Reserve, part of the 3,941-hectare Serra do Rola-Moça State Park created in 1994, and a small part of the 31,270-hectare Serra do Gandarela National Park created in 2014.

Mining operations significantly shape the local terrain and economy through the extraction of iron ore and gold. The region contains multiple mines, such as Mostardas, Rio de Peixe, and Morro Velho, which includes a gold mine reaching a depth of 2,700 meters. British interests established the St. John Del Rey Mining Company in 1834, leading to the settlement of approximately 150 British families and the subsequent establishment of the local Anglican Church.

Nova Lima

Nova Lima is a municipality in Brazil with a population of 120,959 people located at latitude -19.98556 and longitude -43.84667 within the state of Minas Gerais. The downtown area of the city is situated about 20 kilometers south of Belo Horizonte, the capital of the southeastern Brazilian state.

The landscape of Nova Lima features significant geographical and ecological landmarks tied to its mining history and natural terrain. The municipality contains the 912-hectare, which is 2,250 acres, Mata do Jambreiro Private Natural Heritage Reserve, a protected area operated by the State Forestry Institute in partnership with the MBR mining company. Furthermore, the city contains part of the 3,941-hectare, or 9,740-acre, Serra do Rola-Moça State Park, which was created in 1994, as well as a small part of the 31,270-hectare, or 77,300-acre, Serra do Gandarela National Park, created in 2014.

The city's terrain and local sites accommodate several active and historical mines, including the Morro Velho, Mostardas, and Rio de Peixe mines. Among these, the most famous mine in the city is Morro Velho, which translates to Old Hill, functioning as a gold mine with a depth of 2,700 metres, or 8,900 feet. Mining remains one of the main economic activities of the city, encompassing the extraction of iron ore and gold from these local sites.