Expert says Brazil should join China – not the US – in rare earths

247 - Brazil is aiming in the wrong direction by considering giving in to pressure from the United States in the area of ​​rare earths. This assessment comes from the chemist and professor emeritus at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Gilberto Fernandes de Sá, one of the most respected researchers in the country on the subject. In interview à FSPHe stated that if Brazil truly wants to advance in this strategic sector, it should partner with China, not the US, because "only the Chinese dominate the separation and refining technology."

Sá stated that he hasn't been able to sleep since the US formally expressed interest in Brazil's strategic minerals and Lula's government admitted that this area could be included in negotiations. "Strategically, it really is the future. It's no coincidence that Trump wants to seize the rare earths in Ukraine, in Greenland... And now it's here," he warned.

Brazil has abandoned its historical leadership.

The researcher recalls that the country was once among the most advanced in the world in rare earth separation technology, especially thanks to the work of the chemist. Pawel Krumholz"He was the person who developed the rare earth separation technology. In the world! All the researchers in the world received samples from him," he stated. According to Sá, after the nationalization of Orquima, Krumholz "became furious, didn't negotiate his patents and left everything in the safe," and Brazil lost the technological advantage.

Today, he says, neither Brazil nor the United States possesses mastery of separation technology. "Only China has it," he stated.

Criticism of the Lula government's strategy.

Gilberto Sá criticized President Lula's indication that Brazil would be open to foreign companies exploring rare earth elements, provided they generate employment and do not limit themselves to exporting raw minerals. According to the academic, the strategy is insufficient and naive: “That's nonsense. If we really wanted to accelerate this process, we would partner with China.”

He says he has suggested to the government, since Lula's first term, the creation of a national program with international partnerships to regain technological dominance. "It was never taken seriously," he laments.

China as a strategic partner

The expert argues that cooperation with China is the most advantageous way to regain national sovereignty in this sector. "It is with China that we can learn more, better, and faster in the most critical stage—separation and fine metallurgy," he explained. He recalls his relationship with the Chinese scientist. Su Qiang, a pioneer in rare earth research in that country, with whom he developed projects and academic exchanges.

Despite declaring himself left-wing and a former member of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), Sá affirms that his position is technical and based on the national interest: "Broad collaboration, non-negotiable national interest."

The sector remains dominated by foreign capital.

Currently, the only rare earth mining company operating in Brazil, is... Serra VerdeThe company has American and British capital and exports all its production without separating the minerals domestically. According to the professor, this keeps Brazil in the position of a mere supplier of raw materials: “They export the rare earth aggregate. And what will we get out of it?”