Brazil's Rare Earth Riches: Why is China Benefiting More?

Brazil's Rare Earth Potential: A Technological Gap Amidst Global Competition Brazil holds substantial reserves of rare earth elements, crucial for various technologies. However, a lack of domestic processing capabilities leaves Brazil producing less than 1% of the global supply. Much of the extracted material is exported to China for processing and refinement. This reliance on foreign powers creates economic vulnerabilities and hinders Brazil's technological advancement. The Neural podcast, featuring journalist Patrícia Campos Mello and innovation expert Ronaldo Lemos, highlights this issue, emphasizing the need for Brazil to invest in technology and infrastructure to fully utilize its natural resources. 'The situation is critical,' says Lemos, 'Brazil has the potential to be a major player, but we are currently missing the technological tools to achieve it.' The podcast serves as a wake-up call, urging policymakers and investors to address this technological gap and unlock Brazil's rare earth potential.