Mining industry increases revenue, investments and share of trade balance surplus in 2025

Revenue reaches nearly R$300 billion. The sector accounted for 55% of the trade balance surplus and projects US$76,9 billion in investments by 2030.

The performance of the Brazilian mining industry in 2025 confirmed the sector's relevance to the national economy, according to data consolidated by... Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM)The information was presented at a press conference. online to the press, held on 03/02/2026, which was conducted by Vice President Fernando Azevedo and the Director of Mining Affairs, Julio Nery.

The sector's revenue totaled R$ 298,8 billion in 2025, a 10,3% increase compared to 2024. Iron ore accounted for R$ 157,2 billion, equivalent to 52,6% of total revenue, despite a 2,2% decrease in the value of revenue from this substance. Minas Gerais, Pará, and Bahia led the sector's revenue for the year, with shares of 39,9%, 34,5%, and 4,5%, respectively, confirming the regional concentration of mining activity in the country.

According to Fernando Azevedo, "the results obtained by IBRAM show an industry with robust economic performance, strong integration into foreign trade, and an expansion of the investment cycle, especially in minerals considered strategic for the future of the economy." The vice-president of IBRAM reinforces that the current global geopolitical moment is increasing interest in critical minerals on the part of nations and blocs of countries interested in realizing development plans in different areas, especially clean energy and technology.

Foreign trade – In foreign trade, the sector exported approximately 431 million tons of mineral products, a 7,1% increase in volume, resulting in revenues of approximately US$46 billion, a 6,2% increase in dollars compared to 2024. Iron ore accounted for 62,8% of total exports.

Mineral imports totaled US$8,5 billion in 2025, with a slight increase of 0,1% in value and a decrease of 1,3% in tons, reflecting less external dependence on some strategic inputs.

Brazil's mineral trade balance reached US$37,6 billion for the year, equivalent to 55% of the total Brazilian trade balance, which closed at US$68,3 billion. This result reinforces the role of the mineral sector as one of the main pillars of the country's foreign trade. In 2024, this share of the trade balance was 47%.

Tax collection – The tax contribution from mining also increased. Total tax and fee collection from the sector grew by approximately 10% in 2025, reaching R$ 103 billion. Of this total, the Financial Compensation for Mineral Exploration (CFEM) amounted to R$ 7,9 billion. In 2024, the sector had collected R$ 93,4 billion in taxes and fees.

In the labor market, the mineral extraction industry registered 229.312 direct jobs in November 2025, excluding oil and gas. Between January and November, 8.330 new formal jobs were created in the sector.

Investments – Medium-term prospects indicate an expansion of investments. The estimate for projects in the mineral sector for the period 2026 to 2030 is US$76,9 billion, a value 12,5% ​​higher than that projected in the previous cycle.

Critical and strategic minerals account for a significant portion of this movement. Projected investments in these substances reach US$21,3 billion by 2030, a 15,2% increase compared to the previous projection, signaling the sector's alignment with the demands of the energy transition and global reindustrialization.

Previously, the total value of investments in mining, for the period 2025-2029, was US$ 68,4 billion, IBRAM points out.

The complete data can be accessed on the IBRAM website.