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Brazil is entering a new phase of its mining investment cycle – creating opportunities for Australian METS companies to enter the market or grow their pipeline of projects.
Brazil is one of the world’s leading mineral producers, producing and marketing more than 90 minerals. The country combines scale, resource diversity and a clear push toward modernisation, making it a high-potential market for mining technology, services and innovation.
Market overview: a diversifying industry
Brazil is the world’s dominant niobium producer and ranks highly for iron ore, gold, copper, nickel, bauxite/aluminium, manganese, graphite, phosphates, limestone, and ornamental rocks.
The sector is projected to attract investment of nearly US$77 billion between 2026 and 2030. This growth is driven by increasing demand for advanced processing technologies, and separation and beneficiation solutions. Stricter regulatory frameworks and rising ESG expectations are also driving demand. Brazil also stands out globally for its extensive pipeline of tailings dam decommissioning, monitoring and remediation projects.
Although iron ore remains the main commodity, the industry is gradually diversifying. Along with Australia, Brazil accounts for approximately one-third of global iron ore exports. Gold and copper are gaining more relevance, while critical minerals are becoming increasingly strategic with the global focus on energy transition and related technology.
According to the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM), total mining investments between 2025 and 2029 could reach approximately US$70 billion, with a growing share directed toward minerals beyond iron ore, as well as logistics and sustainability initiatives.
Major companies continue to shape the industry. Vale remains a central player, with significant capital investment planned across iron ore, copper and nickel, including major expansion projects in its Northern System. Other companies, such as CSN Mineração and Gerdau, are also expanding production capacity. Copper projects in regions like Pará and Mato Grosso are advancing, reflecting a renewed focus on base metals.
At the same time, Brazil is strengthening its position in the global critical minerals landscape. With the world’s second-largest rare-earth reserves, Brazil is attracting increasing international interest as global supply chains diversify. The rare earths industry has been the focus of various recent government initiatives, including policies to support strategic minerals and improve funding mechanisms.
Brazil is transitioning from a raw commodity exporter to a value-added processor of critical minerals, aiming to strengthen its industrial base, enhance technological sovereignty, and capture higher returns. Leveraging its vast resources, the country is advancing domestic processing and integrated supply chains, particularly in rare earths, lithium and graphite.
Environmental regulation trends and the Brazilian mining industry
Significant tailings dam events over the past decade have led to the development of strict dam safety rules and strengthened environmental requirements. In recent years, environmental requirements have been further developed and, in many cases, have been based on standards in other jurisdictions including Canada and Australia.
Australia has strong expertise and experience working under Australian and other international environmental standards, and a diverse suite of METS offerings across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. This presents a good match for Australian services and expertise.
In 2025, the General Environmental Licensing Law (Law 15.190/2025) was approved, establishing a Brazilian framework with standardised procedures. Other largely voluntary certifications are widely adopted and considered best practice.
These include:
- Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM): a sustainability performance initiative originally developed by the Mining Association of Canada and adopted in Brazil by IBRAM, focusing on governance, community relations, environmental management, and safety.
- Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA): an international standard for independent certification that assesses ESG practices throughout the mining lifecycle.
- Copper Mark: a guaranteed system focused on responsible copper production, based on ESG criteria audited by third parties.
- Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI): a global standard that establishes sustainability requirements for the entire aluminium value chain.
Opportunities for Australian METS
As Brazil enters a new investment cycle, the market is creating significant opportunities for Australian METS companies. Demand is rising for solutions in:
- Safety and risk management: tailings monitoring, wearables, geotechnical solutions
- Energy transition and net zero: mine electrification, renewables, energy-efficient tech
- Mine closure and rehabilitation: land restoration, water management, environmental monitoring
- Automation and AI: remote operations, sensors, predictive maintenance, autonomous systems
- Exploration: geophysical surveys, drones, geochemical tools, compliance and permitting tech.
Energy transition and decarbonisation in the Brazilian mining industry
Brazil’s mining sector is entering a critical phase of transformation, driven by decarbonisation targets, rising ESG expectations, and the global energy transition. As one of the world’s largest mining economies, the country is under increasing pressure to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and adopt more sustainable operational practices.
Mining companies in Brazil are actively investing in electrification, renewable energy integration, and low-carbon technologies to reduce their carbon footprint. This includes expanding solar and wind energy use, electrifying mining fleets, and adopting energy-efficient processing solutions. Water management, tailings safety, and waste reduction are also becoming central to sustainability strategies.
Brazil’s vast reserves of critical minerals—such as niobium, lithium, nickel, copper, graphite and rare earths –positions the country as a key player in low-carbon supply chains. This transition is creating immediate opportunities for Australian METS in areas such as electrification, renewables, automation and emissions-reduction technologies.
More information
- Brazil Country Mining Guide 2026, KPMG and Ibram, February 2026, [PDF, 13.8 MB]
- Brazil's role in the global critical and strategic minerals agenda, CEBRI, December 2025 [PDF, 7.88 MB]
- Geological Survey of Brazil, SGB (in Portuguese)
- Brazil's Critical Minerals: A Guide for Foreign Investors, Ministry of Mines and Energy [PDF, 1.80 MB]
- Brazilian Mining Institute
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