Bahia state emerges as a potential new rare earth frontier in Brazil

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The Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB) sees one more state in the country with potential to develop projects related to the rare earths segment.

Currently, Brazil, which holds the second-largest volume of rare earth reserves in the world, behind only China, has the most advanced projects in this segment in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás.

Now, the SGB points out that Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, also has potential in the segment.

“The geological context of the state of Bahia brings together a unique combination of geological units with the potential to generate rare earth (RE) deposits”, said the SGB in a report.

The full SGB report can be read here.

“The report shows that occurrences of rare earths in Bahia are associated with different geological contexts and ages. The information we present is important and can be used to identify and/or delimit areas that are more promising for the formation of REE [rare earth elements] deposits,” said SGB researcher Lucy Takehara Chemale, coordinator of the project Assessment of the Rare Earth Potential in Brazil.

According to the SGB, Bahia’s potential in rare earths is already attracting the interest of private participants, but the agency emphasizes that the indications regarding the segment’s potential in the region are still preliminary.

“Data from the Mining Geographic Information System (SIGMINE) of the National Mining Agency (ANM) indicate that Bahia concentrates about 38% of the areas requested for rare earths in Brazil. This number, according to the study, reflects the diversity of geological environments with mineral potential, although it is not possible to state, at this time, that the state holds the country’s greatest productive potential, since most of the projects are still in the early stages of research”, said the SGB.