Brazil Mining Critical Minerals by State
Brazil hosts a highly strategic and geographically diversified portfolio of critical minerals aligned with U.S. priorities - creating strong opportunities for U.S. exporters of mining equipment, technology, and services to support the country’s growing critical minerals sector.
In Brazil, mining is mainly overseen by the federal government, which owns the country’s mineral resources and grants exploration and mining rights through the National Mining Agency (ANM), setting technical and fiscal standards for the sector. States have a complementary role, managing taxes, local environmental permits, and land-use issues, but they cannot enact rules that conflict with federal law. In this way, the federal government provides the primary framework, while states support and supervise operations locally to ensure compliance with both national regulations and regional requirements.
Minas Gerais leads in lithium, rare earths, niobium, and iron ore, supported by strong infrastructure and a mature regulatory environment, making it a prime entry point for investment. Minas Gerais main mineral deposit [L(2.1]is Lithium Valley in the Jequitinhonha region, rich in lithium deposits, hosting major mining projects and positioning itself as a key hub for lithium production. Goiás adds battery and agricultural input relevance[A(3.1] through nickel, cobalt, and phosphate, supporting integrated energy and food security value chains.
Bahia is emerging in vanadium, copper, and REEs key for grid storage, electrification, and renewables, while Pará, home to the Carajás region, offers world-class copper, nickel, and bauxite assets critical for EVs, aluminum, and industrial supply chains.
Amazonas and Northern Brazil expand long-term strategic optionality with potash, tin, and other technology metals, albeit with higher logistical and ESG complexity.
To fully realize the potential of Brazil’s critical minerals sector, advanced mining technologies and specialized equipment are essential. This includes exploration and drilling systems, mineral processing and beneficiation plants, automation and remote operation technologies, environmental monitoring solutions, and battery and rare earth extraction equipment. U.S. exporters can support Brazil’s growing demand for high-efficiency, and safety-enhancing solutions across these critical mineral operations, from lithium and cobalt to vanadium and rare earths, enabling the country to expand production while meeting global supply chain.
For more information on opportunities for U.S. companies, please contact Tulio Teixeira Tulio.teixeira@trade.gov, Mining Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Belo Horizonte.
To explore additional industry sector intelligence and insights on the Brazilian market, please visit Brazil Published Market Intelligence.