Governing mined landscapes through memory: Afro-centred approaches to post-extractive transitions

Abstract

This article examines the heritage-making of the Du Veloso Mine, located in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero—one of Brazil's most strategic mining regions—as a process of post-extractive, Afro-centred governance led by community actors in a context of institutional absence. Grounded in Evolutionary Governance Theory (EGT), the study interprets heritage-making as path creation, in which symbolic disputes, material legacies, and institutional reconfigurations are mobilised through a lens of historical justice. The research adopts a qualitative approach that combines interpretive analysis of the guided tour, an interview with the site manager, and the complementary application of the Relevance Determinancy Analysis (RDA) and Competitive Performance Analysis (CPA) frameworks, used as auxiliary tools to capture public perceptions and symbolic effects. The findings indicate that the site's symbolic legitimacy is primarily shaped by its Afro-centred narrative, the role of community mediation, and the emotional connection experienced by visitors. Du Veloso Mine's development reflects a new approach to heritage that challenges technocratic and Eurocentric frameworks, reimagining the subsoil as a space of memory, Black agency, and territorial transformation. The study suggests that policies for post-mining areas should give greater attention to symbolic and emotional aspects as integral parts of resource governance, particularly in historically marginalised settings where state presence is limited.