Critical minerals in Northeast Brazil: geological potential, mineral production, and integration into global supply chains

Abstract

Critical minerals play a central role in the energy transition, the digitalization of the economy, artificial intelligence, defense, and technological security, and are essential to the supply chains of high-technology products and processes. This study analyzes the potential of Northeast Brazil for integration into these supply chains, based on data from the National Mining Agency and the specialized literature. The results show that, although the region accounts for only 12.4% of the national critical minerals production value, it concentrates 48.3% of the mineral exploration permit applications and 53.4% of the mineral exploration investments made in Brazil between 2021 and 2025. Notable occurrences and projects are associated with copper, nickel, vanadium, tungsten, rare earth elements, graphite, lithium, tantalum, titanium, and niobium. Bahia stands out as the leading regional hub, concentrating the largest share of both investments and production. It is concluded that Northeast Brazil possesses substantial geological potential and favorable conditions to expand its participation in the global supply of critical minerals, particularly through value addition via mineral processing, refining, and downstream mineral transformation. The consolidation of this trajectory depends on the expansion of infrastructure, the strengthening of research and innovation, workforce development, and the implementation of policies aimed at industrialization.