Reginaldo Lopes proposes a front in defense of rare earths and critical minerals.
The congressman says that the rational, environmentally sustainable, and economically strategic exploration of rare earth elements can pave the way for numerous benefits.
247 - Federal Deputy Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG) submitted a request to the Chamber's presidency for the creation of a joint parliamentary front focused on defending rare earth elements and minerals considered critical and strategic.
The parliamentary front aims to "bring together efforts from the Legislative, Executive, academic, civil society, and private sectors to formulate and coordinate public policies that guarantee the sovereign, sustainable, and strategic use" of resources.
In the document, Lopes highlights that these materials are present in sectors such as electric vehicles, telecommunications, defense, renewable energy, and the aerospace industry. Rare earth elements, a group of 17 chemical elements, are also used in the production of permanent magnets, high-performance motors, cell phones, and wind turbines, for example.
Despite Brazil having the third largest known reserve of rare earth elements in the world, it still imports most of its manufactured products derived from these minerals. According to Lopes, this represents a loss of strategic opportunities for adding value, generating employment, and strengthening national sovereignty.
According to the legislator, the "rational, environmentally sustainable, and economically strategic exploration of Brazilian rare earth elements" can pave the way for a series of long-term benefits, including attracting national and foreign investments, as well as generating skilled jobs.
