Brazil Holds Second-Largest Global Rare Earth Reserve and Plans Major Mining Investment

Brazil possesses the world’s second‑largest reserve of rare earth elements, a group of 17 metals critical for electronics, electric vehicles, wind turbines, medical equipment and defense systems. Despite this potential, domestic production accounts for only about 1% of global output. In the last two years roughly 2,000 research permits have been issued, with Bahia, Minas Gerais and Goiás leading the exploration effort.

The Brazilian Institute of Mining estimates that $76.3 billion will be invested in mining over the next five years. Experts say the country must develop advanced extraction and processing techniques to separate the elements efficiently and meet environmental standards. As one researcher noted, “Nós não conseguiríamos mais essa vida, o estilo de vida que nós levamos, sem a mineração.” The push aims to transform the geological wealth into an industrial chain that can supply the growing demand for rare earths worldwide.