CRITICAL AND STRATEGIC MINERALS IN THE NORTHEAST

v. 10, n. 404, setembro, 2025

Abstract

This work provides information on Brazil’s potential in critical and strategic minerals, with emphasis on the area served by Banco do Nordeste (BNB), which encompasses the Northeast Region, as well as part of Minas Gerais (including the Mucuri and Jequitinhonha Valleys) and the northern part of Espírito Santo. In today’s world, critical and strategic minerals have gained increasing importance due to their direct connection to energy transition, technological security, and the industrial sovereignty of nations. In this context, control over reserves and the capacity for production and refining of these minerals have been used as instruments of power and political leverage amid the intensification of trade wars. The study revealed that the BNB’s jurisdictional area presents high potential for various strategic minerals. For some minerals, such as potassium, lithium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and uranium, this region currently accounts for a significant share of national production and mining investments. Additionally, investments in strategic mineral research in this region totaled R$ 1.81 billion between 2019 and 2023, representing approximately 40% of the total invested in the country—an effort that will certainly lead to the discovery of new deposits. Foreign trade data showed a substantial surplus in products from the Mineral Extractive Industry, especially iron ore, and a deficit in products from the Mineral Processing Industry. The Northeast’s considerable potential in critical and strategic minerals places the region in a favorable position to attract investments and strengthen its mineral industry.