Bahia continues to strengthen its position as one of Brazil’s main hubs for critical and strategic minerals, which are essential for the energy transition and the advancement of low-carbon technologies. This was the focus of the panel “Brazilian Potential for Critical and Strategic Minerals,” which brought together representatives from companies, government, and the mining sector to discuss the future of sustainable mining and new drivers of development in the state.

The discussion offered an integrated vision of Bahia’s new mining cycle, spanning from the production of Green Iron (HBI) to growth in copper and nickel, along with technological innovations in solar glass. Together, these projects reveal a strategy that combines low carbon emissions, local value generation, and alignment with the global clean energy market.

One of the highlights was Brazil Iron’s Ferro Verde project, which aims to produce Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) with a net zero balance of greenhouse gas emissions. The product—nicknamed “green iron”—is derived from extremely high-purity iron ore found in Piatã, Abaíra, and Jussiape, in the Chapada Diamantina region. “This is a material that enables steel production without the use of coal, using renewable energy and drastically reducing emissions,” emphasized Emerson das Neves Souza, Vice President of Institutional Relations at Brazil Iron.

Another example of Bahian innovation came from Homerun Resources, whose CEO, Brian Leeners, presented a new line of antimony-free solar glass—a toxic and polluting metal commonly used in the industry. This technology, developed in Brazil, places the country among the few in the world capable of producing solar glass with low environmental impact and high performance for the photovoltaic sector. The product meets the growing demand for cleaner materials in the renewable energy supply chain, further reinforcing Bahia’s leadership in industrial innovation.

Within the base metals sector, the development of copper and nickel projects was also a central theme. Alfredo Santana, COO of Vale Base Metals, stated that these raw materials are essential for electrification and energy storage, serving as key components for batteries, electric motors, and transmission systems.

Companies operating in the state announced expansion plans and new exploration projects, supported by the Bahia Mineral Research Company (CBPM), which has been investing in geological research and partnerships to add value to local resources.

CBPM President Antonio Caballal highlighted the state’s role as a natural laboratory for low-carbon mining. “Bahia is uniquely positioned to lead this new stage of mining, combining technological innovation, sustainability, and regional development. Our goal is to turn geological knowledge into economic opportunity for the people of Bahia,” he stated.

Panelists emphasized that the main challenge now is aligning mineral policy, infrastructure, and incentives to attract investment and transform geological potential into established projects. The integration of logistics infrastructure—particularly through the Fiol rail corridor and Porto Sul—was cited as a key enabler for these ventures, expanding Bahia’s reach in the global market.

With simultaneous progress in green iron, solar glass, copper, and nickel, Bahia is positioning itself as a microcosm of Brazil’s energy transition—a state that unites mining tradition, technological innovation, and environmental responsibility. “Critical minerals are not just the future of mining; they are the future of the clean economy,” summarized Carballal, capturing the spirit of an event that reinforced Bahia’s strategic role in the new geopolitics of mineral resources.

(Mara Fornari)
Source: Bahia se posiciona como polo em minerais críticos e transição energética