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State Attracts Billion-Dollar Investments and Creates Favorable Environment for Export and Industrialization of Strategic Minerals
The Piauí emerges as one of the new hubs of national mining, driven by the global energy transition and the growing demand for strategic metals.
With rich reserves of iron, nickel, and cobalt, the state has been attracting large international groups and strengthening its logistical and industrial infrastructure.
Since 2023, the state government, through Investe Piauí, has been structuring a favorable environment for the sustainable expansion of the mineral chain.
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Brazil extracts 26.3 million tons of ore from what was previously treated as waste, transforming residues into wealth, producing over 3 million tons of sand, and demonstrating how national mining is relearning to generate value.
Therefore, the focus is to ensure legal security, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability at all stages of mining.
Mineral Expansion and Incentives for Investors
With the support of the Vice-Presidency of Mining at Investe Piauí, the state acts directly in the prospecting of investments, in addition to offering technical support to companies.
Furthermore, it encourages public-private partnerships, which strengthens investor confidence and accelerates the implementation of new projects.
In this way, the proximity to the Port of Luís Correia and the competitive tax incentives make Piauí a strategic hub for mineral export.
According to Fernando Antonialli, Vice-President of Mining at Investe Piauí, “our work has been crucial in transforming the state’s mineral potential into real opportunities for employment and income.”
This action, intensified since 2022, aims to attract large mining companies and ensure modern infrastructure in the Brazilian Northeast.
Lion Mining and the Advances in Iron Extraction
Among the standout companies is Lion Mining, the sixth largest exporter of iron ore in Brazil, based in Piripiri.
The company operates with a annual extraction capacity of 2 million tons of high-grade ore.
Additionally, the group holds more than 90 mining rights, covering an area of over 110,000 hectares.
Thanks to the proximity of less than 100 km to the coast, the company reduces logistical costs and increases its competitiveness in exports.
According to data released by Investe Piauí in 2024, Lion Mining is among those responsible for driving the growth of the Piauí mineral sector.
As a result, the company’s progress generates direct and indirect jobs and stimulates local economic development.
Piauí Nickel Project: A Milestone in Critical Metal Production
Another highlight is the Piauí Nickel Project, located in Capitão Gervásio Oliveira, one of the most modern mineral enterprises in the country.
The project foresees investment exceeding US$ 1 billion and an average annual production of 28,000 tons of nickel and 1,000 tons of cobalt.
These metals are essential for the global battery supply chain and for the worldwide energy transition.
The works, started in 2023, are expected to generate 3,500 direct and indirect jobs by the operational phase.
Thus, the enterprise consolidates Piauí as a reference in sustainable and low-impact mining.
Additionally, the project integrates the state’s strategy of promoting responsible production, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Iron Projects Reinforce Piauí’s Protagonism
Bemisa (Brasil Exploração Mineral S.A.), based in Paulistana, leads the Planalto Piauí Project, one of the largest iron ore enterprises in Brazil.
The project has an estimated mineral reserve of 1.2 billion tons and an expected annual production of 15 million tons of pellet feed.
This ore has 70% iron content, thus positioning the state as a global reference in high-quality ores.
Meanwhile, SRN Mineração, in São Raimundo Nonato, is developing the Serrinha Project, with a reserve of 637 million tons of iron ore.
The initial phase foresees an annual production of 2 million tons, prioritizing sustainable exploration practices and positive impact on local communities.
Thus, Piauí reinforces its image as a center of the new mineral frontier in the Northeast.
Sustainable Development and Strategic Innovation
According to Fernando Antonialli (Investe Piauí), the agency’s work goes beyond initial support.
He emphasizes that the state is “structuring an environment that combines competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation.”
The goal, reinforced in 2024, is to transform the mineral potential of Piauí into tangible economic development.
Therefore, the strategy seeks to increase exports and strengthen the local productive chain, creating quality jobs and sustainable income.
The coordinated action among government, companies, and investors has ensured significant advancements, especially in the interior of the state.
In addition to job creation, mining has been promoting industrialization, professional training, and improvement in regional infrastructure.
Consequently, these actions consolidate Piauí as a protagonist of modern and sustainable mining in Brazil.
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