The United States is indicating willingness to support the development of Brazil's critical minerals processing industry as Washington seeks to access the country's substantial mineral resources while reducing dependence on China. US embassy sources have informed Mining.com that American representatives have communicated in discussions with Brazilian officials their openness to commitments that create local value, including backing for processing and refining operations. This development follows mining companies with US connections increasingly evaluating expansion beyond extraction activities in Brazil.
A USA Rare Earth spokesperson stated to Mining.com: "We have not excluded the possibility of building further downstream capabilities in Brazil." The US position demonstrates recognition that obtaining Brazilian minerals may necessitate supporting industrial development infrastructure rather than simply exporting unprocessed raw materials. Brazil has prioritized domestic processing as a fundamental component of its minerals strategy, which increases requirements for foreign investors pursuing access to one of the world's most prospective critical minerals jurisdictions. Caleb Orr, who served as assistant secretary of state for economic, energy and business affairs, indicated in February that Brazil represented a logical progression for investment in mineral processing.
Gabriel Escobar, former US chargé d'affaires, noted in March that American investment in Brazilian critical minerals projects had surpassed $600 million, with potential for substantially greater investment in the future. Source: Mining.com, September 28, 2026.
Source: mining.com