The IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), with resources from the government of Japan, mineral considered strategic for the production of batteries and energy transition technologies.
The initiative is part of the BR-T1690 project, which foresees a high-resolution electromagnetic survey in the Minas-Bahia graphitic province, one of the main areas with potential for the mineral in the country. The work will be carried out by the SGB (Brazilian Geological Survey). US$890,000 will be invested in the complete project by the Japanese government.
According to the document, the region currently has around 52 million tons of estimated graphite, but preliminary studies indicate additional potential, both in lateral extension and in depth of the already known mineralizations.
The objective of the project is to identify new occurrences and evaluate the continuity of mineralized zones through advanced geophysical technologies.
According to the IDB, if the potential is confirmed, the region’s reserves could grow by around 20%, equivalent to approximately 10.4 million additional tons.
Considering the average price of natural graphite, estimated at around US$1,200 per ton, this would represent an economic potential of more than R$62 billion.
“This could increase the estimated reserves in the province by around 20%, from the current 52 million tons, considering the mineralizations already identified in the study area. Given the price of natural graphite, estimated at US$1,200 per ton, this would represent an increase of more than R$62 billion in the value of graphite”, says the IDB.
In addition to identifying new areas, the study also provides for the classification of exploratory targets, indicating priority for future drilling campaigns.
The survey should also generate detailed maps, geological models and technical recommendations for new phases of exploration. After completion of the studies, the data generated will be public and will be made available by the SGB.
Despite the potential, transforming these resources into effective production requires time and high investments.
Graphite projects, like other critical minerals, require years of geological studies, environmental licensing, infrastructure development and construction of processing plants, in addition to facing technical and market challenges, which means that the expansion of reserves does not automatically translate into production in the short term.
Graphite is considered a critical mineral for the energy transition, mainly due to its use in anodes in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems.
The ore is also increasingly important for the defense sector. In addition to being essential for batteries used in drones, autonomous systems and portable military equipment, the material is used in strategic applications such as electronic components, light armor and high-resistance materials.
According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), the graphite chain is one of the most concentrated among the critical minerals used in batteries.
The agency states that China accounts for around 80% of graphite mining and more than 90% of refining, the most strategic link for the production of anode material.
The IEA also states that global demand for graphite is expected to double by 2040 in the current scenario and almost quadruple in a scenario aligned with carbon neutrality, driven mainly by the expansion of batteries and electric vehicles.
In this context, the IDB assesses that expanding geological knowledge in the Minas-Bahia province can strengthen Brazil’s role in the global battery materials market and in the critical minerals chain.
