Viridis Rare Earth Output Marks First Step Toward Brazil Magnet Materials Supply

mixed rare earth carbonate

Viridis rare earth output from its Poços de Caldas demonstration plant marks an important milestone for Brazil’s emerging role in non-China rare earth supply. Australia-based Viridis Mining and Minerals has produced its first batch of high-grade mixed rare earth carbonate in Minas Gerais.

Viridis rare earth output comes from a newly commissioned demonstration plant that processes 100 kg/hr of ionic clay feedstock. The product includes magnet-related rare earths such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium.

Viridis rare earth output is strategically important because mixed rare earth carbonate is an intermediate product that can feed separation, oxide refining and eventually permanent magnet supply chains. The achievement moves the Colossus project from resource potential into early process validation.

The company has sent samples to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation for qualification. It is still in discussions with potential offtake partners for its mixed rare earth carbonate.

Colossus Ionic Clay Project Gains Processing Momentum

The demonstration plant draws feedstock from the northern concession pits of Viridis’ nearby Colossus ionic clay project. Colossus contains a 200mn t reserve grading 2,640ppm total rare earth oxides.

That resource base gives the project strategic relevance. Ionic clay rare earth deposits can be important because they may contain valuable heavy rare earths used in high-performance magnets.

The presence of dysprosium and terbium matters especially. These heavy rare earths improve magnet performance under heat and stress, making them important for electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, aerospace and defence systems.

Viridis plans to build a commercial-scale plant at Colossus and is targeting first production in 2028. But the company has not yet confirmed a construction timeline.

Financing support is building around the project. Colossus has received A$50mn in loans from Export Finance Australia, along with funding commitments from Brazilian public finance institutions.

The project has also received a $100mn letter of interest from Export Development Canada and support from French export credit agency Bpifrance Assurance Export. This shows that allied governments are willing to support rare earth projects outside China.

Brazil Builds a Broader Rare Earth Processing Platform

Viridis is not only developing Colossus as a mining project. It is also planning rare earth oxide refining and magnet recycling capacity at the same Poços de Caldas location through a joint venture with Ionic Rare Earths.

That integrated approach matters. Rare earth supply chains need more than mining and carbonate production. They require refining, separation, recycling, metal-making, alloying and magnet qualification.

Brazil could become more important if it can connect resource development with processing and downstream material production. The country already has mineral potential, but the value will depend on building customer-ready products.

The Poços de Caldas site could therefore become a rare earth materials hub if the demonstration work, qualification process and future commercial plant progress as planned.

For magnet users, Brazil offers a potential alternative source of rare earth intermediates at a time when China still dominates processing and permanent magnet supply.

The next challenge is commercialisation. Viridis must qualify its product, secure offtake partners, complete project financing and prove that Colossus can scale from demonstration output to reliable industrial supply.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Viridis’ first rare earth output is small in volume but important in direction. Brazil’s rare earth opportunity will depend on whether projects like Colossus can move beyond resource statements into qualified carbonate, refined oxides and magnet-ready supply.