Brazil lacks capacity to produce rare earth magnets until 2032

Despite possessing some of the world’s largest rare earth reserves, Brazil lacks the industrial capacity to produce permanent magnets from its own minerals before at least 2032.

André Luis Pimenta de Faria, coordinator of the country’s primary magnet pilot plant operated by Senai, stated at the Exposibram congress that while initial batches might be produced by 2028, they will rely on imported inputs. He noted that achieving a fully domestic production chain—including the necessary high-purity electrolytic iron—is a much longer-term goal, likely between 2032 and 2035.

Pablo Cesario, president of the Brazilian Mining Institute, suggested that even this timeline may be optimistic. He pointed out that the average interval between proving a reserve and beginning production in Brazil is approximately 17.2 years, highlighting a significant gap as global competitors continue to advance in the sector.