Brazil needs to take a leading role in the mining of the future, argues Ibram

Brazil has everything it takes to take a leading role in the mining of the future, believes Pablo Cesário, director and president of Ibram (Brazilian Mining Institute).

The position was defended during CNN Talks: New Era of Mining, held this Tuesday (30), in São Paulo, bringing together authorities, experts and leaders from the sector.

Cesário argues that mining needs to change its focus - something already put in place with the Bill for Critical and Strategic Minerals (PL 2780/2024), approved by the Chamber of Deputies in May this year.

"We saw a rare consensus in Congress. People who disagree on absolutely everything reach a common ground on what we, as a country, need", he says.

"For a long time, mining has not been seen as bringing the future as it is. When we talk about energy transition we are talking about mining. Now: how do we build this future?", he asks.

The Ibram executive responds in three parts. The first, technology. In Cesário's view, Brazil needs to take advantage of the structures already existing in the country - research centers, cutting-edge universities, etc. - and stop being a mere technological importer to be at the tip of the spear of technological development.

Another point: financing. "Here we have clay. We have more Brazilian companies listed in Canada and Australia than in Brazil. Challenge for governments: important tax measures; but we will need to talk about Flow-through shares [investments with tax advantages: they allow mining, oil and green energy companies to raise resources for exploration]."

The third point talks about prosperity. "Much more than receiving proposals on how to receive agreements; it is a country making proposals. We want to co-create technology and financing; create prosperity for the country", says Cesário.

"More than a player, Brazil needs to be a protagonist in discussions about mining in the future."

CNN Talks: New Era of Mining brings together authorities, businesspeople, experts and representatives of the mineral sector to discuss the paths of Brazilian mining in a new phase of global competition for critical minerals, energy transition and supply chain security.

The meeting takes place at a time when Brazil is trying to transform its geological advantage into economic, industrial and diplomatic protagonism, with debates on financing, environmental licensing, innovation, sustainability, traceability, added value and greater participation of the country in the most noble stages of the mineral chain.

Critical minerals could increase the country's GDP by R$243 billion by 2050

Source: CNN