The ore extracted in the Cana Brava Mine is the Chrysotile type, a natural product with fibrous structure and special physical-chemical properties, which leaded it to be widely used by the industry.

The estimated reserve in the area is sufficient for the supply of the domestic and foreign markets currently served by SAMA for about more 60 years of open pit extraction. However, more than the quantity, we preserve the quality: analyses show that Cana Brava Mine produces a pure chrysotile fiber, with dimensions that qualify it especially for the asbestos cement industry. Fibers with such characteristics are hardly found in other producer regions.

The chemical formula of chrysotile is [Mg₃ SI₂ O₅ (OH)₄]. It appears in the form of compact veins of fibers inside the serpentinite rock. Fibers are usually arranged perpendicularly to the vein walls, with length from 1 to 25 mm or, exceptionally, longer.

Chrysotile has a series of important physical and chemical properties. One of the main characteristics of the fiber is its high mechanical strength - comparable to that of steel - non-combustibility, low thermal conductivity, good capacity of electric and acoustic insulation and of filtering. In addition, chrysotile asbestos features strength resistance to chemicals, wear and abrasion, as well as it is easy to be woven or threaded and affinity with cement, resins and plastic insulators.

Its features allow the product to be employed in the manufacture of a diversified list of items, many of them common in the day-by-day life of the people. Among them, we can mention asbestos cement sheets and water tanks, brake pads and lining, joints and gaskets, textile products and mastics.

Chrysotile is a raw material very useful to the modern industry and technology.
None of the known substitutes comprises all characteristics of chrysotile asbestos concerning the application, quality and price.

The asbestos cement market, comprised of corrugated roof sheets, flat sheets and pipes, absorbs 85% of the worldwide production of the fiber.

The second largest consumer is the segment of friction material and hydraulic millboard, which manufactures brake pads and lining, clutch facings and jointing sheets, with a share of 10%.

The textile market - textiles and blankets for thermal and acoustic insulators - and the chemical/plastic materials - mastics and special filters to the pharmaceutical, beverage and caustic soda industry - are respectively responsible for the remaining 3% and 2%.