Poços de Caldas Council seeks rare earth industrialization hub

The Poços de Caldas City Council has submitted an official request to the Ministry of Mines and Energy to designate the Poços de Caldas Plateau as a priority hub for the industrialization of the rare earth element supply chain in Brazil.

Signed by Council President Douglas de Souza, the document argues that Brazil must move beyond exporting raw materials and instead focus on high-value stages of the chain, such as oxide separation. The region currently hosts two major industrial-scale projects: Viridis Mineração’s Colossus Project and Meteoric Resources’ Caldeira Project, which represent combined investments exceeding US$ 800 million.

The council highlighted several strategic advantages of the region, including its existing industrial culture, proximity of world-class ionic clay projects, and available human capital, noting the presence of approximately 180 doctors and specialized research infrastructure.