In the United States, the American government offered up to US$100 billion in credit to 54 countries, including Brazil, to finance projects and map critical minerals, sparking debate about mineral sovereignty and drawing the attention of Brazilian authorities and the mining sector.
The global competition for critical minerals has entered a new chapter, placing Brazil at the center of an international strategy led by the United States.
The American government has presented a proposal to create an international bloc focapplyd on the exploration and financing of minerals considered strategic for defense and high technology. The initiative involves 54 countries and promises to mobilize up to US$100 billion in credit capacity.
This shift comes amid a strong concentration of the global supply chain for these minerals in China, a scenario viewed by Washington as a direct risk to its industest and national security.
The proposal was presented as an international partnership. The goal is to attract nations with high geological potential, such as Brazil, Indonesia, and African countries.
The plan offers financial support and technical cooperation to address two major historical bottlenecks in global mining: the high cost of capital and limited knowledge about the subsoil.
During the presentation of the initiative, the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, highlighted that participating countries would have access to structured private financing based on public credit instruments.
According to him, the financing capacity could reach US$100 billion through the Strategic Capital Office.
Just hours after the invitation was announced, the United States signed mineral cooperation agreements with Argentina and Mexico.
The agreements provide funding and support for geological mapping, signaling that the strategy has already begun to shift from planning to implementation.
The shift drew attention becaapply it demonstrates rapid international coordination and reinforces American interest in reorganizing the global supply chain of critical minerals.
Brazil has over 70 percent of its territory without detailed geological mapping.
In the Brazilian case, the scenario is considered challenging.
Currently, only about 30 percent of the continental territory is mapped at a scale of 1:100, considered one of the most accurate for identifying mineral resources.
In practice, this means that more than 70 percent of the countest’s geological potential is still unknown.
Companies in the sector claim that the Brazilian Geological Survey operates with a budreceive far below what is requireded to accurately assess the countest’s mineral resources.
This detail is noteworthy becaapply it reveals a historical gap that could directly impact the countest’s ability to seize strategic opportunities.
Critical minerals require high investment and face credit barriers.
Financing is another major obstacle to the advancement of mining projects in Brazil.
Many mining companies, especially compact and medium-sized ones, find it difficult to raise capital. The reason is clear: lack of consolidated assets, absence of recurring cash flow, and limited operational history.
The situation becomes even more sensitive when dealing with critical minerals, such as rare earth elements.
These projects require significant investments, long maturation periods, and involve geological, technological, and market uncertainties. As a result, the risk perceived by financiers increases, and the cost of credit rises, sometimes even building access to resources completely unfeasible.
The Brazilian government is evaluating the proposal cautiously and raising concerns.
Despite its attractive financial potential, members of the Brazilian government believe the proposal requireds to be analyzed carefully.
There are concerns about potential trade constraints, risks of exclusivity, and impacts on the autonomy of Brazilian trade policy.
Another sensitive point involves external participation in geological mapping activities, which can generate debates about mineral sovereignty and control of strategic subsurface information.
There is also a required to reconcile the American invitation with strategic agreements and partnerships already underway.
The United States’ initiative may represent a significant shift in the global landscape of critical minerals, but it also places Brazil before strategic decisions that could influence its mineral and trade policy in the coming years.
This issue is already generating buzz in the sector and is expected to spark intense discussions about sovereignty, investments, and international positioning. Do you believe Brazil should embrace this proposal or remain neutral? Leave your opinion in the comments.
Leave a Reply