Rare Minerals: Brazil’s Strategic Leap into the Clean-Energy Geopolitics

The Era of Critical Minerals

The global clean-energy transition created an unprecedented demand for minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt,
graphite and rare earth elements. These materials are essential for electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines,
grid-scale batteries and AI hardware.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), demand for lithium may grow over 40× by 2040, and minerals like
graphite and cobalt may grow several times compared to 2020 consumption levels.

Brazil’s PL 4443/2025 — the proposed Política Nacional de Minerais Críticos e Estratégicos (PNMCE) —
establishes a structured national strategy to monitor, industrialize and secure these minerals within Brazilian territory.
(Reference: PL 4443/2025)

Brazil’s Real Mineral Power — Verified Numbers

Based on Igarapé Institute, Wilson Center, ANM and USGS:

• Niobium: Brazil holds approximately 94% of the world’s known niobium reserves — the largest on
  Earth. Brazil is also the world’s largest producer.
• Graphite: Brazil holds about 22% of global natural graphite reserves, consistently ranking among
  the world’s top 3 countries.
• Nickel: Brazil holds roughly 16% of the world’s nickel reserves according to several
  international mineral surveys.
• Rare-Earth Elements (REE): Brazil holds an estimated 17% to 23% of the world’s rare-earth reserves
  depending on classification and measurement method.

These figures are not speculative; they are supported by multiple international mineral surveys and Brazilian ANM data.
They confirm that Brazil is undeniably one of the strongest geological players in the world.

What PL 4443/2025 Really Does

The bill establishes a national framework for critical minerals, including:

• Creation of the Lista Brasileira de Minerais Críticos e Estratégicos (LBMCE)
• Ongoing monitoring of supply-risk minerals
• Integration with industrial, energy, environmental and defense policies
• Incentives for exploration, processing, recycling and technology
• Promotion of low-carbon and sustainable mining

Everything in the bill focuses on value creation inside Brazil, not merely exporting raw ore.

ZPTMs — The Industrial Heart of the Strategy

The law introduces Zonas de Processamento de Transformação Mineral (ZPTM) — special industrial zones designed
specifically for minerals considered critical or strategic (PL 4443/2025, Articles 5–6).

ZPTMs will:

• Host refining, processing and advanced mineral-technology plants
• Enable faster licensing for strategic projects
• Integrate research, recycling and manufacturing
• Promote domestic production of high-value mineral products

This is a practical way to shift Brazil’s role from exporter of raw materials to manufacturer of
battery-grade inputs, magnets, catalysts, alloys, and semiconductor materials.

Strategic Minerals Beyond Energy

The bill also recognizes the importance of minerals essential for food security:

• Potassium — Brazil imports more than 90% of its consumption.
• Phosphorus — essential for fertilizers.
• Natural gas — used for nitrogen fertilizers.

Including fertilizer minerals is a critical component for Brazilian agribusiness stability.

Geopolitics: A Window of Opportunity

The world currently depends heavily on China for mineral refining:

• Nearly 90% of rare-earth processing
• Major shares of lithium, cobalt and graphite refining

Brazil, with large reserves and political stability, is positioned to become a strong alternative supplier for the USA,
EU, India and Japan.

PL 4443/2025 creates the regulatory and industrial foundation needed for Brazil to participate in the global clean-tech
manufacturing chain — not only as a miner, but as a strategic industrial partner.

Conclusion

Brazil’s rare-mineral potential is unique and globally relevant. With realistic numbers and a grounded policy approach,
PL 4443/2025 demonstrates how Brazil can move from an exporter of raw ores to a central actor in the clean-energy
revolution. If implemented effectively, the PNMCE will strengthen Brazil’s energy, industrial and technological
sovereignty for decades to come.