The Brazilian government plans to develop programs to boost the supply of strategic minerals for the energy transition and for the industrial processing of these minerals, resulting in higher value-added products to be shipped to export markets. The plan will include issuing new guidelines for the geological mapping of Brazilian territory, giving priority to areas potentially holding strategic minerals. In addition, the government aims to assure greater juridical and regulatory security for the mining industry, by strengthening the National Mining Agency (ANM).
That is what Mining and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira sets out in this interview with Brasil Mineral. In his view, mining will play a decisive role in the government's new plan for the next stage of industrialization in Brazil, and in the energy transition, both of which depend on minerals such as lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, rare earths, cobalt, iron and steel, aluminum, niobium, manganese, and titanium, among others. In the minister's own words:
BRASIL MINERAL — Where does mining fit into the government's recently announced industrialization plan?
MINISTER ALEXANDRE SILVEIRA — At a moment when the whole of Brazil has its eyes on an energy transition that we want to be both fair and inclusive, the new industrialization plan focuses precisely on the sectors that support this important and necessary process, such as batteries, solar panels, and electric or hybrid vehicles. The value chains of these industries begin with mining, especially in the extraction of strategic minerals for the energy transition: lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, rare earths and cobalt. Other minerals play an important role in these chains, such as iron and steel, aluminum, niobium, manganese, and titanium, among others.
"THE PUBLIC DEBATE ON GEOLOGICAL MAPPING PRIORITIES NEEDS TO CONSIDER THE INTERACTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITIES, INVESTORS, AND CIVIL SOCIETY TO ORGANIZE EFFORTS TO INCREASE OUR GEOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE OF OUR TERRITORY"
BRASIL MINERAL — What measures is the government adopting, or does it intend to adopt, to stimulate the growth of the mining industry and increase the production of strategic minerals for the energy transition?
MINISTER — The Mining and Energy Ministry is working to strengthen Brazilian mining, with the focus on developing this activity in a sustainable, social, and safe way. Programs will be launched to incentivize the supply of those minerals considered strategic for the energy transition and the further industrial processing of these minerals, to enhance value-added in the country. The ministry will also issue guidelines on the geological mapping of Brazilian territory, giving priority to areas potentially holding strategic minerals.
BRASIL MINERAL — In the government's view, what will be Brazil's role in supplying the minerals necessary for this transition?
MINISTER — The Brazilian government understands that the world needs an energy transition and therefore needs to have the means to make it a reality. That includes strategic minerals for the energy transition, Brazil being an important source for many of them. This ministry, along with all Brazilian government departments that are involved in this policy area, will help the planet in the mission of decarbonizing energy models.
BRASIL MINERAL — Knowledge of the country's geology is still a bottleneck that tends to restrict the growth of production of these minerals, and of other minerals too. How does the government intend to broaden this knowledge?
MINISTER — The Mining and Energy Ministry has several initiatives underway on this topic. The first one involves defining geological mapping priorities in the country. This is a ten-year mapping plan, carried out cooperatively by the public and private sectors together, to guide mineral exploration carried out in Brazil. The public debate on geological mapping priorities needs to consider the interactions of the universities, investors, and civil society to organize efforts to increase our geological knowledge of our territory. Other initiatives involve the production and storage of all geological data produced in Brazil and the structuring of the Brazil Geological Survey (SGB).
BRASIL MINERAL — What is the government doing, or what can it do, to attract more investment in the mining industry?
MINISTER — The ministry is working to ensure greater juridical and regulatory security. To make the industry more secure, the ministry is seeking ways to strengthen the National Mining Agency (ANM), since it is only possible to build a strong industry if the regulatory agency is also robust. The ministry is pushing for a bigger budget for the ANM, more personnel, and more recruitment. In 2023, the ministry achieved salary equality for ANM personnel with the employees of other regulatory agencies. It was given the green light to appoint forty applicants who had already successfully passed the competitive examination, and, in addition, it was able to extend the term of an earlier examination, ensuring the appointment of twenty-four others who had successfully applied for the post of specialist in mineral resources.