BRE’s Rare Earths Ambitions Face Key Test with Pilot Plant Launch Timeline
Brazilian Rare Earths Limited has secured a strategic partnership with SENAI CIMATEC to co-develop a rare earths laboratory and pilot plant in Bahia, Brazil, backed by significant funding and aimed at advancing processing capabilities ahead of production.
- Binding agreement signed with SENAI CIMATEC for joint lab and pilot plant development
- SENAI CIMATEC and partners to fund 58% (~A$2.3 million) of project costs
- Facility located near Monte Alto Project and major petrochemical hub in Bahia
- Pilot plant commissioning targeted for mid-2026 to optimise beneficiation processes
- Discussions underway for commercial-scale hydrometallurgical plant collaboration
Strategic Partnership to Boost Rare Earths Processing
Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: BRE) has taken a significant step forward in its rare earths development strategy by entering into a binding agreement with SENAI CIMATEC, a leading Brazilian technology and research institution. This partnership focuses on the joint development of a bench-scale laboratory and a pilot plant facility in Bahia, Brazil, designed to enhance the beneficiation of BRE’s high-grade rare earth ores.
The collaboration is notable not only for its technical ambitions but also for the financial backing provided by SENAI CIMATEC and its associated partners. They will contribute approximately R$8.2 million (around A$2.3 million), covering 58% of the anticipated capital and operational expenditures. This funding support underscores the confidence in BRE’s projects and the strategic importance of advancing rare earth processing capabilities within Brazil.
Location and Industrial Synergies
The new facility will be situated within the SENAI CIMATEC Industrial Development Park in Salvador, Bahia. This location is strategically positioned roughly 200 kilometres from BRE’s Monte Alto Project and in proximity to the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex, the largest petrochemical hub in the Southern Hemisphere. Such proximity offers potential logistical and industrial synergies, facilitating downstream processing and integration with existing industrial infrastructure.
Commissioning of the pilot plant is scheduled for mid-2026, marking a critical milestone in BRE’s timeline. The facility will enable BRE to optimise rare earth beneficiation processes, a crucial step before scaling up to commercial production. This pilot phase is expected to provide valuable data and technical insights that will inform future development decisions.
Looking Ahead: Commercial-Scale Opportunities
Beyond the pilot plant, BRE and SENAI CIMATEC are actively exploring further collaboration opportunities, including the potential construction of a commercial-scale hydrometallurgical and separation plant. This facility would process rare earth concentrates into high-value separated rare earth and critical element products, moving BRE closer to full production and market readiness.
BRE’s CEO and Managing Director, Bernardo da Veiga, highlighted the partnership’s significance, emphasizing the acceleration of in-country technical development and the unlocking of full value from BRE’s rare earth assets. The collaboration with SENAI CIMATEC not only brings financial support but also access to technical expertise and innovation capabilities, reinforcing BRE’s position in the rare earths sector.
As the rare earths market continues to grow in strategic importance globally, BRE’s partnership with SENAI CIMATEC positions the company to leverage Brazil’s industrial strengths and emerging technological hubs. The next 18 months will be critical as the pilot plant moves towards commissioning and discussions on commercial-scale development progress.
Bottom Line?
BRE’s partnership with SENAI CIMATEC sets the stage for advancing rare earth processing in Brazil, with pilot plant commissioning and commercial-scale ambitions on the horizon.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the detailed timelines and milestones for the pilot plant commissioning?
- How will the potential commercial-scale plant be financed and structured?
- What specific rare earth elements and critical minerals will the pilot and commercial plants target?
