Geology and Mineral Resources of Brazil: A Review

Abstract

Brazil is one of the world's major producers of metals (i.e., iron, gold, tantalum, columbium, aluminum, and tin). During the last decade, an acceleration of research and exploration in Brazil by federal and state agencies, universities, and private industry has produced a substantial body of new data. This progress largely is driven by governmental mapping and industry mineral exploration programs, and has resulted in the compilation of a new lithotectonic map and related maps on major mineral deposits and prospecting areas. These maps will make it considerably easier to understand the nature of mineral-deposit formation in Brazil and will assist in the development of mineral resources during the final years of this century. This paper surveys the mineral resource base of Brazil based on information obtained as a result of this recent acceleration of geological exploration, and also examines the problems confronting mineral exploration and development as a result of Brazil's enormous and diverse geology,...