THE SEARCH FOR RARE EARTHS FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE NEW FRONTIER OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Industry 4.0 represents a significant transformation in production systems, driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, advanced robotics, and big data. At the core of this revolution are Rare Earth Elements (REEs), essential inputs for the operation of high-performance devices such as electric motors, wind turbines, sensors, and batteries. This article discusses the strategic relevance of REEs for technological innovation, industrial productivity, and environmental sustainability, highlighting their applications and fundamental role in the global energy transition. It analyzes the geopolitical landscape, marked by production concentration in China, and the risks associated with international dependence on these resources. Although Brazil holds the second-largest REE reserve in the world, it faces structural challenges such as the absence of a consolidated production chain, regulatory limitations, technological gaps, and lack of incentives for research and investment. The paper advocates for the need for integrated public policies, specific regulatory frameworks, and cooperation between government, the private sector, and research institutions as a path to transform this potential into regional development and global prominence. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of sustainable REE management, both in extraction and recycling, as a vector of competitiveness and socio-environmental justice. It concludes that mastering the rare earth production chain is strategic for ensuring technological autonomy, strengthening national industry, and positioning Brazil as a key player in the green and digital economy of the 21st century.