The Brazilian Mining Institute (Ibram) released this Tuesday (21) the main figures for the sector for the third quarter of 2025. Total revenue in the period was R$76.2 billion, representing an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year, which had recorded R$56.7 billion.
The states that had the highest share of revenue were Minas Gerais (39%), Pará (35%) and Bahia (4%). THE The substance with the greatest weight in the result was iron ore (52%), which increased by 27% compared to the third quarter of 2024 and recorded revenue of R$39.8 billion.
In relation to foreign trade, around 121 million tons of products from the mineral sector were exported, an increase of 6.2% compared to the same period last year. Iron ore was responsible for 65% of exports. China was the main destination for Brazilian mineral exports: 69.3%.
In dollars, import revenue increased by 3.3% and totaled US$2.5 billion. The main purchases came from the United States (20.8%), Russia (19.3%), Canada (14.3%) and Australia (11.4%). Demands were highest for potassium (57%), mineral coal (24%) and sulfur (6%).
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The sector plans to invest US$68.4 billion in projects for the period 2025-2029. Although the largest absolute volume of investments is expected for iron ore (19,597 billion), the highest percentage growth is estimated for the so-called rare earths: a positive variation of 49% in relation to the period 2024-2028.
“What justifies this increase is the expected demand for rare earths. When we look at demand studies from the European Union and the United States, for example, we see high projections”, said Julio Cesar Nery Ferreira, director of Mining Affairs at Ibram. “They have already been identified in several states, such as in the south of Minas Gerais, where we have four or five projects, but also in Goiás, Bahia, and other states.”
“According to global geological surveys, Brazil has the second largest rare earth reserves in the world. We have now had a parliamentary committee on rare earths created in Congress. It is a geopolitical factor that Brazil has to explore”, said Fernando Azevedo, vice-president of Ibram.
In addition to rare earths, the sector monitors demand projections for minerals considered critical and strategic. Cases of copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, niobium, zinc and graphite.
“I have no doubt that investments in critical and strategic minerals will take off even more. For several factors. They have to do with food security, such as potassium and nitrogen phosphate. Others are fundamental for technology and innovation. Example of semiconductors and chips. There are also those linked to defense and sovereignty. We are talking about those used for special steels, airplanes, radars and other multiple needs”, said Raul Jungmann, CEO of Ibram.
