Brazil has reached a strategic milestone in the global race for rare earth minerals. For the first time, a national laboratory has begun testing the production of high-power magnets using raw materials extracted and processed entirely within Brazil. According to G1, the initiative aims to establish a complete production chain—from raw ore to high-value finished products—essential for the global energy and technological transition.
The breakthrough was made possible by the delivery of 20 kilograms of rare earth carbonate by the mining company Meteoric to the Center for Innovation and Technology for Rare Earth Magnets (CIT Senai ITR) in Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais. Until now, the laboratory—the first permanent magnet factory in Latin America—relied mostly on materials imported from China.
The Scientific Process
The delivered material is the result of a complex beneficiation process carried out on the volcanic plateau of Poços de Caldas, also in Minas Gerais. The production begins with ionic clay, which undergoes a leaching (washing) process to produce rare earth carbonate. This compound is a crucial intermediate stage before the individual chemical elements are separated.
According to CIT Senai ITR, the availability of national raw material now allows the validation, at pilot scale, of the entire technological route, which includes:
- Production of pure oxides;
- Reduction to metallic form;
- Creation of metallic alloys;
- Final manufacturing of NdFeB (neodymium-iron-boron) magnets.
These components are vital for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, smartphones, MRI machines, and industrial automation systems.
Efficiency and Mineral Quality
Technical data highlight the potential of Brazil’s mineral deposits. The original clay contains only 0.4% rare earths, but the processing yields a carbonate with 98% purity. Moreover, pilot tests have shown recovery rates of 78% to 79%, significantly higher than the global average of around 50%. This positions the Poços de Caldas region as one of the most promising rare earth deposits in the world.
While the technology center will continue to use some Chinese materials to ensure supply security and technical comparability during research, the ultimate goal of the MagBras project—an alliance between universities, innovation centers, and companies—is to achieve full production sovereignty for Brazil. The next scientific challenge will be to develop the detailed separation of individual rare earth elements from the carbonate, completing the permanent magnet industry cycle in the country.
This development marks a significant step toward Brazil’s ambition to become a key player in the global rare earth supply chain, reducing dependence on foreign sources and supporting the country’s strategic interests in clean energy and advanced technology sectors.
Source: Olhar Digital
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