Serra Verde receives operating license for Brazil rare earths project

Brazil's Mineração Serra Verde obtained the operating license (LO) for the first phase of its Pela Ema rare earths project in Goiás state.

The license was obtained from Goiás state’s environment and sustainable development department (Semad) for the project in the municipality of Minaçu.

"Receiving the LO means that Serra Verde has received all the necessary regulatory approvals to operate its project, and can now complete the commissioning and put into operation by the end of this year phase I of the mine and the production plant... starting commercial production," the company said in a statement on Friday.

"Key commissioning milestones will include the start of the processing circuit, the installation of dry stacked tailings and connection to the electrical grid, supplied 100% with renewable energy," it added. 

The first phase of the project is expected to produce at least 5,000t/y of rare earth oxides over a 25-year useful life. The company already has offtake contracts for a large part of the production.

According to the BNamericas database, capex for the project is put at US$149mn.