According to a report by BNAmericas on September 25, the Brazilian government recently announced that it will officially auction off five exploration blocks covering mineral resources including gold, diamonds, phosphates, gypsum, limestone, and kaolin on October 18. This move marks the country's formal resumption of its policy for granting exploration rights. The auction, open to both domestic and international investors, will be organized by the Geological Survey Bureau (SGB), an agency under Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy. These blocks are located in the states of Pará, Tocantins, Pernambuco, Paraíba, and Bahia. This auction will be the first exploration-block tender held since President Lula took office in January, and international investors have shown great interest and confidence. The five blocks slated for auction include the Aveiro project in Pará, the Natividade gold mine project in Tocantins, the Santo Inácio diamond project in Bahia, the Miriri phosphate project spanning Paraíba and Pernambuco, and the Capim River kaolin project in Pará.