Brazilian Rare Earths (ASX:BRE) is set to begin operations at its rare earths pilot plant and laboratory facility in Bahia in mid-2026 after receiving the final operating permit from Brazil’s National Authority on Nuclear Safety (ANSN).
The pilot plant will optimise beneficiation and hydrometallurgy processes for the company’s rare earth mineralisation, as well as confirm technical parameters and support downstream process development.
Brazilian Rare Earths will conduct this work ahead of potential future industrial-scale operations, including locating future industrial-scale rare earths processing within the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex, 260km northeast of the Monte Alto Project.
The company says sitting the pilot plant within an established chemical and industrial park is expected to streamline permitting, reduce development timelines and enhance the commercial competitiveness of a future commercial scale rare earths processing plant.
CEO Bernardo da Veiga says Brazil’s largest petrochemical and industrial complex brings coordinating permitting, infrastructure and a skilled workforce – all of which shorten timelines and lower risk.
“This federal authorisation highlights our strong government engagement and confirms we can operate to the highest safety standards as we move decisively from rare earth discovery to development,” da Veiga says.
ANSN is the national nuclear safety authority which assesses nuclear-related components to the highest standard.
Brazilian Rare Earths owns and operates a district-scale tier one rare earths province located in northeastern Brazil.
Rare earths play a critical role as inputs in various high-growth industries, such as robotics, sustainable transportation, and renewable energy. The demand for rare earths is on the rise, particularly for producing high-strength permanent magnets used in robotic actuators, electric vehicle motors and wind turbine generators.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Brazilian Rare Earths
