St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) is participating in EXPOSIBRAM 2025, a major Latin American mining conference held in Salvador, Brazil, bringing together miners, suppliers and government representatives to discuss sector trends and potential partnerships.
The company said the event provides a platform to present its 100%-owned Araxá rare earths–niobium project in Minas Gerais to investors and Brazilian authorities. St George released the presentation it is using at the conference.
“The recent rare earths supply chain intervention by the US Department of War through its multibillion-dollar deal with NYSE-listed MP Materials illustrates the re-alignment of the global rare earths market status quo that is now underway — led by key players in the US,” St George Mining’s executive chairman, John Prineas, said.
“The world-class nature of the Araxá Project — with its large, high-grade resource and expedited pathway to development — is recognised by both private enterprise and government agencies looking to establish a new and secure supply of rare earths outside of China.
“We were pleased to have discussions with a number of these parties on the sidelines of the EXPOSIBRAM mining conference this week including representatives of the US government and the European Union."
Supporting supply chains
Araxá is located adjacent to CBMM’s established niobium operations in a region with a long history of commercial niobium production and access to existing infrastructure and a skilled workforce.
The company has secured government support aimed at expediting approvals, assembled an experienced in-country team and built relationships with key counterparties and authorities to advance exploration and development studies. The strategy includes engagement with government, business and local communities to support progress on the project.
“In addition to contributing to domestic supply chains in Brazil, our Araxá Project is well-positioned to support new, resilient supply chains sought after by the US and EU,” Prineas said.
“St George has already established a strategic alliance with REAlloys, a US downstream rare earths processer and one of the leading suppliers of rare earths magnet materials to the US defence and industrial sectors.
“St George is continuing to engage with US government agencies and other downstream parties to potentially access the lucrative government-supported downstream sector of the rare earths industry.”
On April 1, 2025, the company announced a maiden resource for Araxá, describing it as significant for both niobium and rare earth elements.