Brazil aims to increase mining taxes and royalties, bringing the levies in line with other metals- producing nations, Mining and Energy Minister Edison Lobao said.

Brazilian royalties of about 2 percent compare with 8.5 percent in Australia, Lobao said today in an interview in Brasilia. Mining companies in the South American country pay taxes of about 20 percent, compared with 30 percent in other countries, he said.

"Brazil charges very little," Lobao said. "We don't want to hurt Brazil's competitiveness, but we're comparing levels with other producing countries."

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will send Congress a proposal to boost mining royalties and taxes by year-end, Lobao said. The government is also seeking to set a time limit on exploring and developing prospects, to reduce speculation with mining licenses.

Lobao also said today that Brazil aims to double its electricity-generating capacity by 2030 by building new nuclear power stations.