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With large reserves and little strategy, the extraction of minerals for the energy transition brings the same dilemmas as other exploratory cycles
The so-called critical minerals, essential for the energy transition, are the new focus of the great economic powers. Materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, graphite and rare earths have become vital to economic security and the transformation towards a low-carbon economy. Countries like China and United States prioritize these minerals to ensure their economic security, while the European Union and Canada see them as the key to a sustainable future, according to the jota website.
Brazil, with its vast reserves of niobium, graphite, rare earths and nickel, is in a privileged position. The country has 94,12% of global niobium reserves, 22,42% of graphite reserves, 16,15% of rare earth reserves and 16% of the world's nickel reserves. These natural resources, essential for the manufacture of batteries and power transmission lines, position Brazil as a crucial player in the race for a green economy.
Challenges of an old acquaintance: the lack of strategy and the risk of repeating mistakes
Despite its immense potential, Brazil faces historical challenges in mineral exploration. The lack of a clear strategy and the dependence on exports of raw materials without added value threaten to repeat the mistakes of previous exploration cycles. Elaine Santos, a researcher at USP, highlights the lack of cohesion between government, companies and other actors in defining a national strategy. The country is faced with the choice between following the traditional path of being a major mineral exporter or developing a green industry locally, which could ensure greater long-term economic development and create quality jobs.
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Furthermore, geological knowledge of the country is still limited. Only 48% of Brazilian territory is mapped, and the areas richest in minerals, such as Amazon, are the least studied. This scenario makes it difficult to efficiently and safely explore the deposits, increasing risks for investors and the potential for environmental damage.
Risks and regulation: lessons from past disasters
Mineral exploration in Brazil has a history of environmental disasters e regulatory failures. The dam breaks in Mariana and Brumadinho and the collapse of the exploration of rock salt em Maceió highlight the weaknesses of the sector. These events not only caused environmental destruction, but also profoundly affected local communities, reinforcing the need for stricter regulation and a sustainable model for the exploration of strategic minerals.
The pressure to explore sensitive regions, such as Indigenous Lands and Conservation Units, adds a layer of complexity to the challenge. Environmentalists warn of the need to protect these areas and to have more rigorous environmental licensing. However, the inclusion of projects in risk areas, such as gold mining in Big Bend of the Xingu, shows that the country still has a long way to go to balance economic development with environmental and social preservation.
Brazil is on the cusp of a new era of mineral exploration, with the potential to lead the global energy transition. However, without a clear and sustainable strategy, runs the risk of repeating the same mistakes of the past, where natural resources benefited few and left a trail of inequality and environmental degradation.
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