Brazil and the U.S. are revitalizing their joint research on critical minerals, having signed an agreement last year focusing on four states. Following a brief suspension due to political changes, the partnership has resumed, emphasizing minerals needed for advanced technologies. Key research targets include rare earth elements and lithium, with a focus on scientific collaboration and training.
Brazil and the United States are set to renew their collaborative research on critical mineral resources within Brazil, as highlighted by a partnership established last year. The initial agreement covers investigations in four states: Minas Gerais, Goiás, along with a region that includes Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba. The targeted minerals include rare earth elements, lithium, tin, and cassiterite, with sample collection already initiated in the past year.
In January, Brazilian officials were notified by the U.S. Department of State that the cooperation would be suspended under former President Donald Trump’s administration. However, a reversal came in early March when the U.S. government committed to honoring the agreement following a Supreme Court ruling mandating the completion of ongoing agreements. Francisco Valdir Silveira, director of the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB), confirmed this development.
“This agreement needed to move forward due to existing funding and the consulting services of Deloitte already being in place,” Mr. Silveira explained, indicating the collaborative effort is significant for Brazilian mineral exploration.
Notice of the resumed cooperation was given during the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC 2025) Annual Convention held in Toronto from March 2 to 5, where Brazilian and American delegations convened to discuss joint efforts.
Critical minerals play a vital role in manufacturing various technologies, including electric vehicle batteries and military equipment. Mr. Silveira pointed to Brazil’s potential to emerge as a key player in the rare earth elements market, currently dominated by China.
The U.S. has emphasized securing overseas mineral deposits, particularly to mitigate dependence on China, focusing negotiations with strategic partners including Brazil, Ukraine, Canada, and Greenland. The cooperation with Brazil is viewed as a limited pilot project, marking an exploratory venture involving teams from SGB and the U.S. Geological Survey across designated research regions.
These specific areas of interest include the Seridó/Borborema region, where lithium finds primary focus, as well as the Alto Paranaíba region in Minas Gerais targeting rare earth elements, and Goiás for tin and cassiterite. Field activities have been undertaken, including geological surveys and sample collection, with further plans remaining for the upcoming months.
In addition to field research, the partnership aims to facilitate training for SGB geophysicists by the U.S. Geological Survey, while funding will support scholarships for Brazilian researchers to explore similar geological deposits in Finland. The initiative stems from last year’s interactions between Geoffrey Pyatt and Brazilian officials, focusing on establishing scientific collaboration.
While U.S. investment in the project stands below $1 million, Mr. Silveira emphasized that the core advantage resides in scientific cooperation, fostering essential groundwork for potential larger projects in critical mineral exploration during future initiatives.
The renewed cooperation between Brazil and the U.S. aims to enhance exploration of critical minerals crucial for various technologies. With significant targets identified across multiple Brazilian regions, this partnership emphasizes scientific collaboration, training, and strategic interests to develop Brazil’s potential in the global market. The efforts mark a shift in U.S. policy toward strengthening mineral resource agreements amid efforts to reduce reliance on foreign sources, particularly in relation to China.
Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com
