Brazil’s Geological Survey (SGB) is advancing a 10‑year, 3.3‑billion‑real airborne geophysical survey plan that could grant co‑funders such as Petrobras and Vale temporary exclusive access to magnetics and conductivity data before it becomes public. Because Brazil’s Mining Code awards exploration rights to the first qualifying applicant, early access to regional datasets could let major backers secure prime copper, gold, iron ore, lithium and rare earths ground ahead of juniors. Industry groups including ABPM are pushing for strict safeguards, seeking exclusivity capped at six months, limited to co‑funded areas and with no mineral rights priority attached.

Greenland’s parliament has unanimously backed a resolution to ban seabed mineral extraction until at least the end of 2029, with possible two‑year extensions, directly countering US plans for “massive oil, gas and mineral exploration” announced by President Trump. The ban will cover prospective deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules and other seabed resources, even as the US moves towards permitting such operations in international waters. For miners eyeing Greenland’s 28.2 Mt TREO Tanbreez rare earth project and wider critical mineral endowment, the decision sharply narrows options to land-based developments.

Canada’s 2024 Investment Canada Act amendments will, from early 2027, impose mandatory pre-closing filings on certain non-control foreign investments in “prescribed” sensitive sectors, expected to include critical minerals, where investors gain access to material non-public technical information, key assets or governance rights. Critical minerals juniors relying on strategic minority investors for exploration, feasibility and project build-out may face at least a 45-day national security screening, with some reviews extending to 200 days, forcing longer financing timelines and more complex deal structuring, such as staged tranches. Ottawa’s aim is to vet sensitive deals before closing and avoid repeat divestiture orders like the 2022 forced exits of Sinomine, Chengze Lithium and Zangge Mining from Canadian lithium and rare metals projects.