Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
Russian State Rosatom Negotiates Exploration of Strategic Minerals in Brazilian Soil During Lula’s Visit to Moscow
During President Lula’s official visit to Russia, the Russian state-owned Tenex, the commercial arm of Rosatom, expressed interest in exploring Brazilian reserves of uranium and lithium. The proposal was discussed in a meeting with the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, and aims to strengthen strategic ties in key sectors of the energy transition.
Brazil on the Global Route of Critical Minerals
Brazil has established itself as one of the countries with the greatest potential for supplying essential minerals for the global energy transition. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the country holds about 280,000 tons of uranium, one of the largest reserves in the world, but still underutilized economically. Moreover, the national territory is among the six largest lithium producers, with the Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais, known as the “Lithium Valley.”
The meeting between Minister Silveira and Tenex CEO Sergey Polgorodnik reinforces the geopolitical relevance of Brazil’s natural resources. As reported by the portal Eixos, the Russian company signaled its intention to establish long-term partnerships with Brazil, involving not only mining but also strategic applications in nuclear energy.
-
Saudi Arabia is building in Oxagon a US$ 8.4 billion mega green hydrogen plant with 4 GW of solar and wind energy, 5.6 million solar panels, and capacity to produce 600 tons per day, transforming the desert into one of the planet’s largest clean fuel factories.
-
Germany and Denmark will transform Bornholm into a Baltic power island, connecting 3 GW of offshore wind power to the grids of the two countries via submarine cables and turning a real island into an international energy hub.
-
Brazil discovers natural hydrogen in four states and enters the silent race that could redraw the energy transition: Petrobras has already invested R$ 20 million in studies.
-
A BRICS country surprises the world, doubles electricity generation in just 7 years, nears 9,800 MW, and becomes one of Africa’s new bets in renewable energy.
Uranium and Lithium Gain Prominence in Bilateral Relations
The Russian move comes at a time of increasing demand for uranium and lithium worldwide. Uranium is an essential input for the operation of nuclear plants, while lithium is a key component in the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. Rosatom, through Tenex, already holds active contracts with Brazil, such as the recent agreement between INB (Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil) and Internexco GmbH, part of the same Russian group.
This contract, signed in March, provides for the export of 275,000 kilograms of uranium concentrate from Caetité (BA) for enrichment in Russia. The material will return to Brazil by 2027, intended for the supply of the Angra dos Reis nuclear plant, as detailed by INB on its official portal.
Brazil’s Strategic Potential Attracts New Agreements
The international movement surrounding Brazilian uranium and lithium reinforces the urgency for investment in infrastructure, regulation, and technology to ensure that the benefits of this production chain remain in the country. Minister Silveira reiterated the government’s commitment to develop the national clean energy chain while strengthening sovereignty over strategic mineral resources.
According to the portal Eixos, Brazil seeks not only to export raw materials but also to internalize higher value-added stages, promoting jobs and innovation in the energy sector.
Clear Path for Future Cooperations
There is an expectation that new rounds of negotiations between Brazil and Russia will advance in the coming months, especially in the areas of nuclear technology and energy transition. Lula’s visit to the country served as a stage to reinforce mineral diplomacy and establish points of contact that could transform into tangible investments in the coming years.
With discussions underway, uranium and lithium are consolidating as central pieces on Brazil’s geopolitical board, bringing the country closer to powers that see the national territory as a strategic opportunity to meet global demands for clean energy.
Be the first to react!