Brazil is proposing a national policy to regulate critical minerals based on the principle of national sovereignty [1].
The move comes as international demand for rare earths and strategic minerals grows. By establishing a formal regulatory framework, Brazil seeks to ensure it maintains control over its natural resources rather than relying solely on foreign market dynamics.
Deputy Arnaldo Jardim (Cidadania-SP), who serves as the rapporteur for Bill PL 2.780/2024 [3], said the proposal is grounded in the principle of national sovereignty [1]. The legislation is designed to protect the strategic interests of the country by managing how these minerals are extracted and traded [1, 2].
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has aligned with this approach. He said critical minerals will be treated as a matter of national sovereignty [2]. This alignment between the presidency and the National Congress suggests a unified federal push to secure the supply chain of materials essential for modern technology, and energy transitions.
The bill addresses the need for a cohesive strategy to manage rare earths, which are vital for high-tech manufacturing [1]. By treating these resources as strategic assets, the government intends to prevent the uncontrolled export of raw materials and instead promote domestic value addition.
Legislators are focusing on the long-term economic security of Brazil. The framework proposed in PL 2.780/2024 [3] aims to create a stable environment for investment while ensuring the state retains oversight of the most critical deposits [1, 2].
“"A proposta tem como princípio a soberania nacional."”
This legislative push signals Brazil's intent to move away from being a mere raw-material exporter toward a more protectionist, strategic role in the global green energy transition. By classifying critical minerals as matters of national sovereignty, Brazil can justify stricter export controls and state intervention to attract high-tech industrialization domestically.
