Rare Earth Extraction Project with Huge Reserves Competes with China
Laboratory tests by Brazil's IMC Rare Earths at its Itarantim project achieved terbium extraction rates up to 95.2% and produced mixed rare earth carbonate. The project holds inferred mineral resources of about 1.1 billion tonnes and is an ion-adsorption clay deposit spanning Bahia and Minas Gerais. It contains the four main magnet rare earths: neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium.
Why it matters: This matters for the critical minerals theme because it indicates progress toward diversifying rare earth supply outside China.