Viridis Mining and Minerals has reached a critical milestone in its flagship Colossus rare earths project, located in the prominent mining region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, by filing for an environmental licence.
The company has submitted a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental impact report (EIR) as part of the three-stage approval process for the project. This submission follows eight months of rigorous environmental studies and is a significant step toward securing full project approval. Viridis has already secured municipal support to advance exploration across four tenements in the project’s northern concession area.
The Colossus rare earths project is recognized globally for its size and high-grade deposits, boasting 493 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 2508ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 601ppm magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO).
Viridis plans to use an innovative, sustainable extraction and beneficiation process designed to minimize environmental impact and optimize resource efficiency. The process features ammonium-based reagents for beneficiation, which are environmentally friendly and cost-effective, yielding high recovery rates through low-impact acid washing.
The company has already received a Certificate of Regularity for Land Use and Occupation from the municipality of Poços de Caldas, a critical prerequisite for obtaining its preliminary licence (the first of three). This certificate highlights Colossus’ alignment with local urban and environmental planning requirements.
Viridis’ environmental strategy also incorporates advanced sustainability measures, such as:
Viridis aims to secure its installation licence (the second stage) by the third quarter of 2026, with plans to begin construction soon after and start production in 2027. The company is also exploring opportunities to expand the project’s Southern Complex and Northern Concessions, where significant high-grade mineralization has been identified.
The Southern Complex continues to yield impressive results, with 157 million tonnes of measured and indicated resources grading 2947ppm TREO and 708ppm MREO—figures that position it as the project’s premier mineralized area.
With its focus on engineering advancements, strong regulatory relationships, and sustainable development, Viridis is positioning Colossus as a leading ionic clay rare earth project. As the project approaches production, it is poised to become a benchmark for the rare earths industry globally.
