Brazil's geological service strengthens ties with Bahia state

Brazil’s geological service (SGB) has strengthened its partnership with Bahia state.

SGB and the state’s mineral research company (CBPM) recently published 32 geological documents to encourage mineral exploration and boost socioeconomic development in the state.

The main objective of the documents is to support the growth of small and medium-sized miners, by providing existing geoscientific information free of charge.

“Within the state, the region surrounding [rail project] FIOL has relevant economic potential and is home to various mineral substances, where the railway will contribute to improving the region’s infrastructure and logistics, allowing a better flow of mineral production through the port terminal," said SGB geophysicist Rodrigo dos Santos in a statement.

FIOL will run 1,527km from Barreiras in Tocantins state to Ilhéus on the coast of Bahia and is divided into three sections. It will connect areas with strong mining potential to the future Porto Sul deepwater port, in Ilhéus municipality. A section of FIOL and the port is currently under construction by iron ore miner Bahia Mineração (Bamin), which is part of Kazakhstan's Eurasian Resources Group.

Bahia is the third largest state in Brazil in terms of mining production, accounting for 4% and being far behind leaders Minas Gerais (42%) and Pará (37%), according to figures from Brazilian mining association Ibram.

Of the sector’s US$64.5 billion in projected 2024-28 investments, US$9bn is expected to go to Bahia.