The Australian mining company Viridis Mining & Minerals announced, this Monday (20), the construction of a rare earth research and processing center, em Poços de Caldas (MG)without the use of technology, components or equipment Chinese.
The announcement was made in a relevant fact to the market.
The center will be located in the Poços de Caldas industrial park, approximately 7 kilometers from the company’s mineral concessions, and will serve as a base for the experimental production of mixed rare earth carbonate,
The start of operations is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.
The plant, with capacity to process 100 kilograms per hour of raw ore, will function as a demonstration unit, focused on validating technical parameters, operational optimization and commercial preparation of the company’s rare earths development.
Another objective of the center is to generate product samples for qualifying sales partners. offtakethat is, companies that will be able to sign contracts for the advance purchase of future production.
The announcement comes amid the expansion of export controls imposed by China for the manufacture of wind turbines, electric vehicles, chips and defense equipment.
Beijing dominates more than 80% of the global processing of these minerals and, on October 9, expanded restrictions, requiring authorization for the export of any product that contains even traces of rare earths.
The measure raised alarms in Western countries and intensified the search for alternative suppliers, such as Brazil.
Viridis’ decision to completely exclude inputs and technology from China was “strategic”.
According to the company, the objective is to avoid risks of dependence and consolidate the Colossus Project, located in the south of Minas Gerais, as a western supplier within the critical minerals chain.
“This proactive approach ensures that Viridis is not exposed to potential delays, restrictions or dependency risks arising from new export controls, and positions the Colossus Project as one of the few Western-aligned rare earths ventures capable of advancing independently of the Chinese supply chain,” says the company.
Colossus Project
The new center is part of the Colossus project, which foresees the development of reserves of ionic clays rich in rare earths, with the potential to produce elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium — used for the production of magnets.
The company informed, in the note, that environmental licensing is currently its main priority.
The environmental impact study and report was presented in January 2025, and the expectation is that the preliminary license will be granted soon.
Viridis has also begun the definitive feasibility study with completion scheduled for June 2026.