CRITICAL MINERALS FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION IN BRAZIL: STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES AND RESEARCH AND MINING OVERVIEW

Abstract

The global energy transition, driven by the need to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, is intensifying demand for strategic minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, cobalt, copper, and nickel. These resources are essential for low-carbon technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles. This study analyzes the mining profile of critical minerals in Brazil, considering their geographical distribution, development stage, and regulatory challenges, based on data from the National Mining Agency (ANM), complemented by information from international organizations such as the USGS and IEA. This research adopts a qualitative approach, combining exploratory and descriptive methods grounded in documentary and bibliographic sources. Data from the Geographic Information System for Mining (SIGMINE) and the Brazilian Mining Distribution Panel were used to map active mining processes, classified by regimes and phases — from research applications and authorizations to operating licenses. Results indicate that, although Brazil holds significant reserves — such as 730 thousand tons of lithium, the third-largest rare earth reserve in the world, and 16 million tons of nickel — commercial exploitation remains incipient for most of these minerals. Only 0.49% of active processes are in the operating license phase, while 88.55% are still in early research stages. The analysis reveals strategic geographical concentrations, such as the pegmatitic provinces of Minas Gerais and Bahia (lithium) and rare earth deposits in Goiás and Bahia. The study identifies bottlenecks that hinder Brazil’s consolidation as a global supplier of critical minerals, including regulatory barriers, lengthy licensing processes (averaging over seven years for operating licenses), technological challenges in mineral processing, and the absence of specific public policies. These obstacles contrast with the opportunities arising from the growing international demand, projected to increase up to 15-fold in the case of lithium by 2050. The study concludes that, for Brazil to play a leading role in the global energy transition, it is essential to advance integrated policies that combine competitiveness, sustainability, and legal certainty. Investments in mineral research, technological innovation, logistics infrastructure, and efficient regulation are crucial to transforming geological potential into strategic leadership, strengthening mineral sovereignty, and contributing to international climate commitments.