The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, stated this Wednesday (11) that critical and strategic minerals represent a historic opportunity for Brazil and could become the country’s “new oil”. The statement was made during a public hearing of the Mines and Energy Commission (CME) of the Chamber of Deputies, in a debate about the future of the Brazilian mineral sector.
The minister highlighted that the federal government sees potential in the mineral sector to boost economic growth and expand national development, especially given the increasing global demand for minerals used in technologies related to the energy transition.
According to Silveira, upon assuming command of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, he identified gaps in the institutional structure focused on mining. He cited as an example the absence of a body equivalent to the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) specifically dedicated to formulating strategic guidelines for the mineral sector.
“For me, it was a surprise to be the Minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil, to have the CNPE [National Council for Energy Policy] with 16 ministers of state, which oversees the entire electricity, oil, gas and fuel sector, and not to have the CNPM, which is for the mineral sector, in the advent of critical and strategic minerals that are the ‘new oil’ of Brazil,” he stated.
During the hearing, the minister also advocated for changes to mining legislation aimed at reducing the concentration of mining titles in the hands of large companies. The topic was discussed in the committee and includes proposals to expand the participation of smaller mining companies in already granted areas.
The revision of the Mining Code is advocated by parliamentarians who believe it is possible to expand the exploitation of mineral resources, including through the extraction of substances present in tailings from large mining operations.
Silveira criticized what he considers an excessive concentration of mining rights and stated that Brazil’s subsoil belongs to society. “I have many criticisms not only of Vale do Rio Doce, but of the mining sector as a whole. I am a staunch critic of the fact that our Brazilian subsoil is registered in the names of the country’s large mining companies. And those who also want to, the smaller companies and others who want to develop the country, cannot exploit it because they consider themselves owners of the subsoil that belongs to the Brazilian people. I think we need to review the law,” he declared.
According to the minister, progress in the exploration of minerals considered strategic could transform the mineral sector into a relevant driver of economic development, especially given the growing importance of these resources in the global technology and energy industry.
Source: brasil247.com