English 
Spanish 
3 min read
Brazilian reserves of rare earths may reach 3,5 billion tons. Although it is the largest holder of rare earth reserves in the world, Brazil still has a low production
The partnership between Mineradora Tabuleiro and SENAI CIMATEC — one of the most advanced centers of education, science, technology and innovation in Brazil, will become a milestone for Brazilian mining! The Terras Raras project will make it possible to explore substances that were technically and commercially unfeasible before. The unprecedented initiative involves technology and innovation to make possible the exploration of rare earth minerals in Bahia, previously unfeasible.
Read also
- Raízen opens 141 job openings to work at ethanol plants in São Paulo and other Brazilian states this May 17th
- Coca Cola, the largest multinational producer of non-alcoholic beverages, calls for hundreds of job vacancies in its factories in SP, RJ, MG, RS and more
- Loyalty to the brand at gas stations will end and the sale of fuel via delivery will be released; measure can reduce the price of gasoline by up to 50 cents per liter!
- Mixing biodiesel with diesel oil can damage engines and increase fuel prices, say entities representing more than 200 companies in the sector
The partnership between Mineradora Tabuleiro and SENAI CIMATEC aims to study and develop a new concept of economically viable and sustainable extraction of rare earths in Brazil. In addition, the innovative and strategic project also intends to promote the technical-scientific production of articles with a significant impact factor in the academic field.
The Terra Raras project will be fully developed to highlight, nationally and internationally, the Brazilian industry and mining. “The partnership with Mineradora Tabuleiro, through the Terras Raras project, is strategic for CIMATEC, as it positions us at the technological frontier of this sector, in the Brazilian and Latin American scenario. In addition, the fact that this partnership is with a company from Bahia is also extremely relevant, as it is linked to our mission to support the development of our local industry”, emphasizes the Executive Business Manager of SENAI CIMATEC, André Oliveira.
- The WORLD'S first ship tunnel: A €308 million megaproject that will transform shipping and save lives
- Elon Musk and Flamengo: What is behind the possible transformation of the STADIUM into Starlink Arena?
- Desert Rock: The luxury retreat carved into the cliffs of Saudi Arabia that is transforming desert tourism
- Bridge worth almost R$400 MILLION takes shape and already has a completion date
After obtaining the license to start processing the mineral in Bahia, the mining company also intends to extend the use of the technology developed to mining partners and cooperatives.
Brazil is the largest holder of rare earth reserves in the world
But what are rare earths? Rare earths are raw materials in the production of supermagnets, electronics, defense equipment, aerospace, energy, among other segments. They receive this name because they are difficult to extract, since the challenges of removal and processing are not small, mainly because of the limited availability of technical knowledge for the separation of minerals-ore containing rare earths.
Brazilian rare earth reserves could reach 3,5 billion tons. Although it is positioned as the largest holder of rare earth reserves in the world, Brazil still has low production, according to data from the United State Geological Service (2015).
Discover the third largest deposit of niobium in the world
The third largest niobium reserve is discovered in northeastern Siberia in Russia. According to the mining company Polymetal, it – which is located in Tomtor, a city formed by several small villages in the Republic of Sajaá – has already been evaluated and its scale and high content confirmed.
And it doesn't stop there: in addition to the niobium deposit, the site also holds a large amount of rare earths. Rare earths are needed to produce almost any modern high-tech item, including smartphones, computers, chips and even fighter jet fuselages.
According to a source quoted by Russia Today, a feasibility study for a project will start soon, and construction of a factory capable of producing 160 tonnes is scheduled for 2025.
