According to the minister, the country has an abundance of resources such as niobium, copper, uranium and rare earths, as essential inputs for high-technology sectors and the energy transition.
The Minister of Mines and Energy, stated this Wednesday (15) that there is “a great opportunity for Brazil” in negotiations with the United States involving critical and strategic minerals. The statement was made after the installation of the National Council for Mineral Policy (CNPM), in Brasília, with the presence of the president (PT).
According to the minister, the country has an abundance of resources such as niobium, copper, uranium and rare earths — essential inputs for high-technology sectors and the energy transition. “This opens a very large window of opportunity for us to build synergy with the United States in this area,” he stated.
Silveira said that he will meet with the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, on October 30th and 31st, during the G7 ministers’ meeting in Canada. He highlighted that it will be a “first conversation”, aimed at identifying points of convergence between the interests of the two countries. “We want to leave there with a clear vision and seek convergence in what is in both our interests,” he said.
Asked whether the topic was discussed during the CNPM meeting, Silveira avoided details, but stated that President Lula instructed the government to “continue dialogue with all countries”. During the event, the minister also highlighted that the government seeks to align its proposal with the National Policy on Critical and Strategic Minerals, under debate in the Chamber of Deputies and reported by deputy Arnaldo Jardim (Cidadania-SP).
Silveira also reinforced the importance of maintaining fiscal responsibility in possible tax incentives for the sector. “We can take advantage of what is already being debated in the Chamber. If this is not possible, the government will use the democratic instruments that the President of the Republic has”, he declared. At the first meeting of the CNPM, resolutions were approved to create working groups on topics such as inspection fees, sectoral charges, financing of mineral projects and tax incentives.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
