Brazil’s Senate passes rare earth minerals regulation, paving the way for boosted exploration
The measure creates a 2 billion reais guarantee fund and 5 billion reais in tax credits to spur domestic processing.
- The Senate approved a landmark bill Wednesday to regulate critical and strategic mineral exploration, moving Brazil toward increased exploitation of its vast rare earth reserves that rank second only to China. The measure now awaits President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's signature.
- Seeking to reduce reliance on the Asian powerhouse, Brazil is positioning itself as an alternative to China in critical minerals. Lula has consistently advocated for developing a national industry rather than simply exporting raw materials.
- Federal incentives of 5 billion reais in tax credits will support mineral transformation over five years, while the legislation creates a 2 billion reais Mineral Activity Guarantee Fund to support mining projects.
- Environmental groups have criticized the bill, alleging it increases regulatory flexibility without addressing environmental trade-offs. Public Policy Coordinator Suely Araujo stated that accelerating proposals without guaranteeing community rights "makes no sense."
- In February, Brazil and India signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation on critical resources. USA Rare Earth meanwhile purchased Serra Verde, Brazil's only commercial rare earth producer, for approximately $2.8 billion in April.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Brazil's Senate passes rare earth minerals regulation, paving the
FILE - A mine operated by Serra Verde Mining digs for rare earth elements including neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium, which are essential for the production of permanent magnets, in Minacu, Goias state, Brazil, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File)
Associated Press News
Brazil’s Senate passes rare earth minerals regulation, paving the way for boosted exploration
Brazil’s Senate has approved a bill to regulate the exploration of critical minerals, including rare earths, marking a step toward exploiting its vast reserves.
Brazil Hands Government Control Over Mining Deals
Brazil's Congress passed a bill Wednesday letting the government block foreign takeovers of mining companies and scrutinize who gets access to the country's mineral reserves…the thing is, though...Brazil still can't turn its rare earth ore into a single magnet, and won't be able to for years. The Senate approved PL 2.780/2024 by voice vote, sending it to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for signature. It creates a national policy on critical …
Brazil approves a law to exploit and protect the rare earths “We don’t have the technology. We need to partner and guarantee the transfer of technology for the Brazilian nation,” said Senator Eduardo Braga, rapporteur of the bill that was approved with the support of both the government and the opposition. It is called rare earths a group of 17 chemical elements that are essential [...] Radio France International El Mundo CR
Illegal mining spreads rare earths, uranium, and thorium in Amazon soils
Illegal mining in a remote corner of the Brazilian Amazon is leaving behind more than deforested riverbanks and mercury-tainted water. New research shows that garimpo operations extracting tin and monazite in the Taboca district of São Félix do Xingu, in the state of Pará, are concentrating rare earth elements, uranium and thorium in soils and […]
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