Meteoric Resources faces a delay in the approval of its Preliminary Environmental Licence for the Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Brazil, with a rescheduled vote set for mid-December. The company remains confident that all regulatory concerns have been addressed and anticipates minimal impact on project timelines.
- Preliminary Environmental Licence approval postponed to 19 December 2025
- Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office raised additional questions on environmental and radiological matters
- Meteoric asserts comprehensive prior submissions address all regulatory concerns
- No radiological risks confirmed by Brazilian nuclear authorities
- Strong local and governmental support maintained despite delay
Environmental Licence Delay and Regulatory Context
Meteoric Resources NL has announced a postponement in the approval process for the Preliminary Environmental Licence (LP) of its Caldeira Rare Earth Project, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The State Foundation for Environmental (FEAM) requested additional time to respond to questions raised by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF), which led to the deferral of the vote originally scheduled for 28 November 2025. The new date for the vote is set for 19 December 2025.
Comprehensive Environmental and Technical Submissions
Meteoric emphasises that it has already submitted extensive documentation to address all regulatory requirements. This includes a detailed 3,000-page Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted over 12 months by independent consultants ALGER and CERN, a public hearing with the local community, and numerous technical reports and responses to FEAM’s inquiries. A technical report prepared by FEAM itself recommends approval of the licence, contingent only on the resolution of legal matters raised by the MPF.
Addressing Radiological and Environmental Concerns
Among the MPF’s questions were concerns about potential radiological risks associated with rare earth mining. Meteoric has provided robust evidence, including over 22,000 material samples analysed by Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), confirming that the project’s materials fall below exemption limits for radiation and pose no safety risks. The National Nuclear Safety Authority (ANSN) has publicly clarified that there is no radioactive risk linked to the project, dismissing misinformation circulating in media.
Other concerns involved the project’s proximity to protected environmental zones and the Caldas Decommissioning Unit of Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB). Meteoric clarified that mining activities are outside the core protected areas and that there is no operational or territorial overlap with INB facilities. The company has also secured necessary authorisations from local environmental councils and maintains ongoing communication with indigenous and traditional communities, despite no formal consultation requirements.
Stakeholder Support and Next Steps
Despite the delay, Meteoric’s Managing Director Stuart Gale expressed confidence in securing the licence at the next COPAM meeting, highlighting the company’s preparedness and the strong support from local government, the Mayor of Caldas, and the financial community. The company plans to assist FEAM in responding to the MPF’s questions promptly to avoid further delays. Once the Preliminary Environmental Licence is granted, Meteoric intends to proceed swiftly with its Construction Licence application, aiming to keep the overall project timeline largely intact.
Bottom Line?
Meteoric’s ability to swiftly address regulatory concerns will be critical as the Caldeira Project edges closer to construction approval.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office raise any new issues ahead of the December vote?
- How might this delay affect Meteoric’s broader project timeline and financing plans?
- Could community or environmental opposition intensify despite current stakeholder support?