Critical minerals could add R$ 192 billion to Brazil's GDP by 2050

A study by Amcham Brasil projects that the expansion of the critical minerals and rare earths supply chain could add R$ 192.1 billion to Brazil's GDP and create 750,000 jobs by 2050. This potential growth depends on the country attracting foreign capital, expanding local processing, and increasing industrial use of these resources.

The study analyzed six key minerals: cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements. It presented two scenarios: one focused on domestic financing and exports with low value addition, yielding R$ 128.7 billion in GDP; and a second, more robust scenario involving higher foreign investment and local industrial integration, which would result in the projected R$ 192.1 billion impact.

The topic is gaining legislative momentum with the progress of Bill 2.780/2024, which aims to establish the National Policy for Critical and Strategic Minerals. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has indicated plans to discuss the proposal with senators and party leaders following meetings with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and House Speaker Hugo Motta.