Why is the EU prioritizing Brazil as a strategic partner for critical minerals?

The EU is prioritizing Brazil because it holds the world's second-largest critical mineral reserves and shares the EU's goal of moving from low-margin raw material exports to higher-value local processing; as stated by EU Commissioner Jozef Sikela, this partnership emphasizes sustainable business, local rare earth processing, job creation, technology transfer, and education — aligning with Brazil's development goals and the EU's strategy to reduce supply chain dependencies beyond China.

What is the significance of the Viridis Mining project in Poços de Caldas for EU-Brazil cooperation?

The Viridis Mining pilot project in Minas Gerais is one of four priority projects selected to accelerate EU-Brazil collaboration; it processes rare earth ore into mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) and exemplifies the EU’s objectives by creating jobs, enabling technology transfer, and adhering to advanced environmental, social, and technical standards — prompting Sikela to highlight it as a model that 'delivers on objectives'.

EU courts Brazil as strategic partner in global race for critical minerals

Jun 22, 2026

The EU is partnering with Brazil to secure critical mineral supplies through a Viridis Mining rare earth project. A potential agreement with Solvay aims to boost local refining capacity and reduce reliance on Chinese imports.

reuters

2025-11-06

Solvay flags soda ash headwinds in SE Asia, maintains earnings guidance

2025-11-12

Solvay signs rare earths supply deals in US, Europe

2025-11-19

Solvay, Sapio break ground on green hydrogen plant for peroxides unit in Italy

2026-01-13

Australia's VHM scraps Chinese rare earth offtake deal amid surging demand

2026-02-04

Solvay Launches Europe's First Bio-Circular Silica Plant