Brazil’s only producing rare earth miner granted the United States an option to acquire a minority stake in the company as part of a financing agreement. Serra Verde Group secured a US$565 million loan from the US International Development Finance Corporation, 22% more than initially approved last year, to fund upgrades at its Pela Ema operations in Goiás state. The final terms allow the US government to take a minority stake without a management role, chief operating officer Ricardo Grossi said.

The Trump administration has increased support for rare earth supply chains to counter China’s dominance, offering loans and equity stakes to companies including MP Materials Corp. and Vulcan Elements. Serra Verde began commercial production in 2024 and aims to raise annual output to 6,500 metric tons of rare earth oxides by the end of next year, with plans to potentially double capacity within four years.