Rare earths in Brazil: mining, socio-environmental conflicts, and perspectives for environmental education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47401/revisea.v13.25956Keywords:
Environmental education, Environmental impacts, Mining, Rare earths, SustainabilityAbstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) have increasing importance for technological sectors and technologies associated with the energy transition, expanding interest in the exploration of mineral resources in Brazil. However, mining and processing these elements may involve environmental changes, waste and tailings generation, element mobility, risks, and territorial transformations. This study aimed to analyze the scientific literature on REEs in Brazil, emphasizing the relationships among mining, environmental impacts, socio-environmental conflicts, territory, and perspectives for environmental education. An integrative literature review with a descriptive and analytical approach was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 recommendations. Searches were performed in June 2026 in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SciELO, and PubMed, complemented by Google Scholar, covering publications from 1990 to 2026. A total of 438 records were identified, and 16 studies composed the analytical corpus after screening and eligibility assessment. The results showed a predominance of studies addressing deposits, mineralizations, occurrences, and geochemical characterization, with a spatial concentration in Minas Gerais and a recent increase in scientific production. Six studies were directly related to mining areas or activities, while four addressed environmental risks and two incorporated aspects related to human exposure or health. None of the studies specifically focused on socio-environmental conflicts, environmental justice, social participation, or environmental education. The review concludes that Brazilian literature provides an important basis for understanding REEs but shows limited integration among mining, environment, territory, and society. Environmental education may contribute to articulating scientific knowledge with territorial issues, social participation, sustainability, and critical understanding of impacts associated with the REE production chain.
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