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State Consolidates Itself as a Power in the Extraction and Processing of Minerals, Highlighting Rare Earths and Lithium Production
Mining in Mato Grosso do Sul has shown impressive growth over the past four years, with the Mineral Production Value (VPM) reaching R$ 11.8 billion between 2020 and 2024. This advance reflects the rich diversity of the state’s mineral resources, which includes everything from bottled water production to the extraction and processing of strategic minerals such as iron, manganese, lithium, and rare earths, according to the website capitaldopantanal.
The mining sector not only drives the local economy, but also positions Mato Grosso do Sul prominently in the national landscape. With revenue of R$ 80.4 million in royalties in 2023, the state ranked seventh among the highest collections in the Federation. But the growth doesn’t stop there; prospects for the coming years indicate even more expansion, with new investments and technologies that promise to transform mining in Mato Grosso do Sul into an example of innovation and sustainability.
The Impressive Advance of Mining in MS
Mato Grosso do Sul is not only extracting minerals; the state is creating value throughout the production chain. The gross production of minerals in the state reached R$ 334.48 million in revenue, showcasing the gross potential of its deposits. However, it is the processing that truly makes a difference, with a total value of R$ 11.21 billion generated. This result not only highlights the importance of mining for the regional economy, but also shows how the implementation of advanced technologies has optimized industrial processes.
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Jaime Verruck, Secretary of the Environment, Development, Science, Technology, and Innovation (Semadesc), emphasizes the efficiency and modernization of mining companies in Mato Grosso do Sul. “This impressive value is not just a result of what is underground, but of the hard work and technology that transforms these riches into high-value-added products,” says Verruck.
Mineral Water and Sustainability: The Quality That Comes from Underground
In addition to minerals, the production of mineral water in Mato Grosso do Sul has also gained prominence, with accumulated revenue of R$ 143.25 million in the last four years. And it is not just any mineral water; the purity and quality of the local product are recognized both in Brazil and abroad. “When you open a bottle of mineral water from Mato Grosso do Sul, you are drinking the purity that comes directly from the underground of Mato Grosso do Sul,” comments Verruck casually, but with certainty that the product has been gaining market.
Sustainability is also on the radar of mining companies. Technologies such as filtration and dry stacking are being implemented to minimize environmental impacts, and eliminating the need for large tailings dams and reducing the risk of environmental accidents.
Mining Companies Eyeing the Future: Manganese and Rare Earths in Focus
Among the companies strongly investing in Mato Grosso do Sul, Lhg Mining stands out with a robust investment and a workforce of 3,500 employees. The company has been optimizing the exploration of the Santa Cruz and Urucum mines, located in Corumbá and Ladário, which have vast reserves of high-grade iron ore and manganese.
The production of manganese, for example, reached 450,000 tons in 2023, and the expectation is to double this amount by 2025, reaching one million tons. And it doesn’t stop there; about 80% of this manganese is granulated, with a grade of 42%, something rare in the world and highly valued in alloy steel production and in the heating of blast furnaces.
Furthermore, the company is focused on new technologies and processes to maximize the efficiency and sustainability of its operations. The ambitious goal is to raise production to 8 million tons by the end of this year and reach 20 million tons by 2025, depending on improvements in transportation routes, such as rail and waterway modes.
Promising Prospects: Rare Earths and Lithium as New Protagonists
According to the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM), the Brazilian mineral sector is expected to receive investments of US$ 64.5 billion between 2024 and 2028. Mato Grosso do Sul, with its vast reserves of manganese, iron, limestone, and basalt, is well-positioned to benefit from these injections, especially in critical minerals for the energy transition, such as rare earths and lithium.
Eduardo Pereira, Mining Coordinator of Semadesc, emphasizes that mineral diversification is a priority. “We are focused on exploring new horizons, such as rare earths and lithium, which are essential for green technologies. With favorable public policies and continuous investments, Mato Grosso do Sul is ready to become one of the five largest mining states in Brazil in the coming years,” predicts Pereira.
The state is also investing in infrastructure to facilitate the transportation of minerals, with the revitalization of the Malha Oeste railway and the improvement of the navigability of the Paraguay River waterway. These initiatives, along with a focus on socio-environmental projects, will ensure that the sector’s growth occurs sustainably and responsibly, placing Mato Grosso do Sul on the map as one of the major players in the Brazilian mineral sector.
Therefore, Mato Grosso do Sul is riding the wave of mining, with a bright future ahead, where lithium and rare earths promise to be the crown jewels. And with the right infrastructure and proper policies, the state is set to shine on the national and international stage.
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