The consortium led by the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI) has been chosen to support the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) in conducting a study to assist the Government in formulating guidelines, targets, and instruments to guide the development of the National Rare Earth Strategy. The initiative is part of the project "Mining for the Energy Transition (MET): Ensuring a Sustainable Supply of Critical Minerals for Advancing Regional Development," funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The consortium includes CEBRI, the consultancy Vallya, and subject-matter experts, with the support of BMA Advogados.
Rare earth elements play a fundamental role in several technological applications, particularly in the energy transition, as they are used in the manufacture of permanent magnets, electric motors, and wind turbine generators. Despite holding the world's second-largest reserves of these minerals, Brazil still has incipient production and relies on foreign refining.
Data from CEBRI's study on critical minerals (see below) show that Brazil's estimated reserves amount to approximately 21 million tons, while demand for rare earths to support Brazil's energy transition is expected to reach 12,800 tons by 2050. In a context marked by a highly concentrated global rare earth market, rising demand, and Brazil's strategic position as a potential supplier, the study for the MME aims to support the design of policies for the development of Brazil’s National Rare Earth Plan, aligned with national priorities, energy transition demands, and environmental and industrial agendas.
As a result, a technical report will be delivered to the Federal Government, compiling supply mapping, demand assessments, identification of priority industrial sectors and value chain segments, as well as sustainability guidelines, governance and monitoring proposals, and preliminary recommendations for the National Strategy. The initiative reflects CEBRI’s institutional mission and its consolidated work in energy transition, mineral governance, and industrial policy.
Learn more at: https://www.gov.br/mme/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/mme-inicia-estudos-para-construcao-da-estrategia-nacional-de-terras-raras
CEBRI has been active in the critical minerals agenda under its Energy Transition Program through the project “Brazil’s Role in the Global Critical and Strategic Minerals Agenda,” launched in 2024.
The results of the project "Brazil's Role in the Global Agenda for Critical and Strategic Minerals", developed by CEBRI and IBRAM, reflect the research and projections carried out by Cenergia, CETEM and SGB, with support from the Climate and Society Institute (iCS), sponsorship from BHP and Vale, and institutional support from BMA Advogados.
The project report presents projections for the evolution of domestic demand for minerals associated with the energy transition and Brazil’s climate targets through 2050, the potential supply of these inputs, the main production challenges, and identifies investment and cooperation opportunities.
The findings demonstrate that the energy transition is materially intensive and point to the risk of supply-demand mismatches, potentially creating bottlenecks in production chains starting in the mid-2030s. Brazil’s mineral wealth positions the country as a potential supplier of several rising-demand minerals; however, many of these resources remain underutilized or limited to the early stages of the value chain.
The reconfiguration of global critical minerals supply chains creates a favorable environment for Brazil to advance its production and move into higher-value-added stages. In this context, the study reinforces the importance of developing robust domestic production chains capable of meeting internal demand and positioning Brazil as a reliable and sustainable supplier in the global market.
Read the full report “Brazil’s Role in the Global Critical and Strategic Minerals Agenda” HERE.
