The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of State for Economic Affairs, Energy and Business, Caleb Orr, gave an online press conference this Wednesday (11) in which he cited investments in rare earth projects in Brazil and stated that the country is seen by Washington as a “strategic partner” in building critical supply chains.
“The United States is interested in financing projects throughout Brazil. There are two projects I mentioned earlier, in the State of Goiás, focused on heavy rare earth elements. But these are just examples, and I believe the potential for projects between the United States and Brazil is very high,” declared Orr.
Last week, mining company Serra Verde, located in Minaçu, Goiás, announced that it had reached an agreement with the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for an investment in the company worth US$565 million. The agreement also includes the possibility of US minority participation in the mining company.
In turn, the mining company Aclara Resources, specialized in heavy rare earths, also obtained support from DFC last year for the development of the so-called “Carina project”, aimed at exploring these minerals in the municipality of Nova Roma, also in Goiás. According to a statement released by the company at the time, the approved financing could reach US$5 million and will be used to carry out technical feasibility studies for the project.
At the press conference, the assistant secretary praised Brazil’s participation in the ministerial meeting on critical minerals held last week in Washington, organized by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. According to Orr, Brazil’s presence was interpreted as a “positive sign” in the context of negotiations to deepen bilateral cooperation.
The meeting took place as part of the launch of the so-called “Project Vault”, a strategic initiative by President Donald Trump to create a national stockpile of rare earths and other critical minerals for the USA with the aim of reducing American dependence on China and protecting sectors considered essential, such as defense, technology and the automotive industry. According to the American press, the plan could involve investments estimated at up to US$12 billion to strengthen supply chains considered strategic.
“The US considers Brazil a strategic partner in building critical, resilient and secure supply chains,” Orr said this Wednesday.
At last week’s meeting, Argentina signed an agreement with Washington for cooperation in the supply and processing of critical minerals. Japan, the European Union and Mexico also participated in that meeting, which brought together around 50 countries.
Brazil, which has the second largest global reserves of rare earths, behind only China, participated in the event, but reported, according to the agency Reuterswhich is still evaluating whether it will formally join the US-led initiative. The topic should be on the agenda of the planned meeting between Trump and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in Washington.
