CRITICAL MINERALS AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE: THE ROLE OF BRAZILIAN RARE EARTHS IN 21ST-CENTURY GEOPOLITICS

Resumo

Critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements, have gained increasing strategic relevance in the global economy due to the expansion of digital technologies, the energy transition, and the growing demand for resources essential to high-technology industries. These elements are fundamental for the production of electronic devices, electric vehicles, defense systems, telecommunications equipment, and renewable energy technologies, becoming strategic components of contemporary production chains. This article aimed to analyze the role of Brazilian rare earth elements in twenty-first-century geopolitics, considering their importance in the context of global supply chain concentration and technological disputes among major economic powers. The research was conducted through a qualitative bibliographic review based on scientific articles, technical reports, and institutional documents from national and international organizations. The results indicate that, although Brazil possesses significant rare earth reserves, its participation in the global value chain remains limited due to insufficient industrial processing capacity, restricted technological capabilities, and dependence on raw material exports. It is concluded that Brazil has considerable strategic potential; however, its qualified insertion into the geopolitics of critical minerals depends on investments in research, technological innovation, industrial development, and sustainable practices throughout the production chain.