Brazilian Rare Earths Advances Monte Alto Project with New Licence
Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: BRE) secured a Trial Mining Licence on March 25, 2026, from Brazil’s ANM for the Monte Alto rare earths and critical minerals project in Bahia, Brazil, according to GlobeNewswire PE. This licence marks a significant milestone in progressing the project from exploration to staged development and authorises extraction of up to 2,000 tonnes per annum of product.
Licence Details and Strategic Implications
The Trial Mining Licence enables Brazilian Rare Earths to produce representative bulk shipments for potential customers and strategic partners, supporting downstream test work and commercial engagements. It aligns with the company’s province-scale, hub-and-spoke, integrated ore-to-oxides strategy, as the product will supply high-grade feedstock for BRE’s fully permitted pilot plant at the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex, which is under construction and scheduled to commence operations in Q3 2026. The licence reflects progress in BRE’s permitting workstreams and is backed by a low-impact development strategy using a small-footprint, capital-efficient operating model designed to meet environmental and regulatory standards.
Project Development Approach
At Monte Alto, Brazilian Rare Earths is pursuing a quarry-scale operation with ultra-high-grade mineralisation, which allows for dry-processing and a smaller environmental footprint compared to larger mining projects. This approach is centred on a low-impact, capital-efficient model, as outlined in the company’s strategy. The development includes plans for trial mining to link upstream production with downstream processing capabilities in Brazil, according to GlobeNewswire PE.
Next Steps for the Project
Brazilian Rare Earths’ next federal permitting milestone is the submission of an Economic Development Plan to ANM in Q2 2026, which, subject to regulatory approval, could lead to the grant of a full mining concession for commercial-scale operations. BRE Managing Director and CEO, Bernardo da Veiga, stated: “Securing the Trial Mining Licence is a significant milestone for Monte Alto and a major step forward in BRE’s integrated ore-to-oxides development pathway in Brazil.” This approval highlights the strength of the company’s permitting work and engagement with local communities and government stakeholders, as detailed in the announcement.
As widely-known context, rare earth elements are critical for various technologies, including electronics and renewable energy, though this licence pertains specifically to BRE’s project in Brazil.
