Ana Saggioro Garcia, researcher at the BPC/PUC-Rio and professor at UFRRJ, participated in the webinar “Critical minerals: What is Latin America’s leverage?” organized by the Future Horizons Institute.
Ana Saggioro Garcia, researcher at the BRICS Policy Center/PUC-Rio and professor at UFRRJ, participated in the webinar “Critical minerals: What is Latin America’s leverage?” organized by the Future Horizons Institute.
During her presentation, Professor Garcia discussed how Brazil has been managing its natural resources in trade relations with China and the United States. Furthermore, she addressed the potential for developing the national industry and the conditions required for this process to occur sustainably. Garcia emphasized that access to rare and critical minerals is one of the most significant geopolitical disputes of the 21st century, as these resources are essential for the global energy transition.
In this context, she highlighted that Brazil has recently implemented new legislation and created a national fund through the BNDES, reinforcing the role of public banks as strategic financiers of the sector. However, the new law includes self-monitoring environmental mechanisms for companies and agribusiness, raising concerns about the social and environmental impacts on local communities and ecosystems.
She concluded by stressing the importance of promoting and encouraging scientific and technological development, ensuring that the entire process takes place sustainably and with respect for human rights. Finally, she emphasized that South America — and Brazil in particular — should seize the opportunities presented by its mineral reserves to negotiate better terms for their exploitation, while increasing investments in technology and research.