Global miners and explorers have descended on Minas Gerais in troves over the past decade, as new mineral discoveries emerge across the Brazilian state.
According to local explorer Resouro Strategic Metals, the historic mining region has re-emerged as a hotspot for resource companies amid the global hunt for critical minerals. “Minas Gerais is a tier one mining jurisdiction and often considered the arrowhead of mining in Brazil,” Resouro Director Philippe Martins explains. “The Portuguese name Minas Gerais translates to ‘General Mines’, reflecting the state’s deep mining roots, which date back to the 1700s. “In the past five years, we’ve witnessed a renewed surge in exploration across the region including in the ‘Lithium Valley’, a geological trend running hundreds of kilometres with massive deposits of lithium. Paired with its rich mining heritage and well-established infrastructure, the abundance of critical resources in Minas Gerais reinforces its status as a key destination for future-facing exploration.”
Majors including Vale, Rio Tinto, and BHP have long targeted iron ore and gold in the region, but Philippe says new critical mineral discoveries are unlocking a new era of opportunity. “Iron ore has traditionally been Brazil’s largest export, but the country’s critical minerals potential is quickly rising,” he says. “Brazil is responsible for 97% of global niobium production, holds the second largest reserve of rare earth elements in the world, and is showing strong signs of emerging titanium potential. “Our Tiros Project, located in the Alto Paranaíba region, Minas Gerais, is a prime example of the high-quality critical mineral deposits waiting to be discovered.
“Tiros contains approximately 50% of Brazil’s known titanium reserves and hosts a suite of high-grade rare earths, both of which are essential for the defence and decarbonisation industries. “The advantage of finding a deposit of this grade and scale in Minas Gerais is that the region is already well-equipped to support mining operations, thanks to its deep history with the sector.”
Philippe has lived and worked in Minas Gerais for 20 years and says mining has been a way of life for generations. “Most people in Minas Gerais have either a friend or a relative who works in mining, because the activity is so abundant,” he explains. “Local communities understand the importance of mining for both the region but also for the country, as it is the third-largest contributor to GDP behind the services industry, behind São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
“Minas Gerais is fast becoming the next frontier for critical mineral exploration and mining, and Resouro is at the heart of that transformation with our project in this historic mining state.
“My advice is to watch the opportunities emerging from Minas Gerais, especially as the global race to secure critical minerals intensifies amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.”