From September 28th to October 5th, 2024, a Brazilian delegation actively participated in a critical minerals mission to the United Kingdom, with events and meetings in London focused on strengthening cooperation between governments and businesses in the sustainable use of essential minerals for the global economy.
Brazil’s presence, alongside other South American countries, reinforced the strategic role of these minerals in the transition to a greener and more sustainable economy. The agenda included seminars, forums, and meetings focusing on responsible mining and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
The mission, which involved representatives from the Brazilian government and company executives, addressed the challenges and opportunities related to critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths. These elements are indispensable for the development of green technologies such as batteries for electric vehicles and clean energy generation, especially wind and solar. The mission reinforced the importance of international cooperation to ensure the security of global supply chains and the sustainable development of the mineral industry.
Brazil-UK Partnership Strengthens Sustainable Exploration
A key highlight of the mission was the strengthening of the partnership between Brazil and the UK for the sustainable exploration of critical minerals. This collaboration culminated in “Brazil Day: Critical Minerals Under an ESG Approach,” held on October 3rd in London.
This event, organized jointly by the Brazilian embassy and the British government, was a central focus of the agenda. It showcased Brazilian initiatives promoting more responsible mining and attracting foreign investment to the country.
During this meeting, leaders from both nations discussed strategies for integrating sustainable practices into the exploration of critical minerals, prioritizing a balance between economic development and environmental responsibility.
The partnership between the two countries aims to ensure that the growth of the mineral sector occurs in a way that respects local communities and ecosystems while strengthening the economy and attracting international investment.
Responsible Mining and ESG Governance
The theme of responsible mining permeated the entire mission. The Brazilian delegation was also present at the LME Week and the Responsible Mining Leadership Forum, both internationally renowned events where industry leaders discussed the tensions and opportunities in global mining operations.
LME Week, in particular, featured a gala dinner that brought together approximately 1,500 representatives from major mineral industry companies, providing a valuable platform for networking and strengthening commercial partnerships.
Brazil’s commitment to ESG governance was widely discussed. The ESG agenda has gained prominence in the mineral sector, focusing on ensuring that operations are conducted in a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable manner.
In this context, one Brazilian company that stood out in the discussions was Sigma Lithium. Its Vice President of Institutional Relations, Ligia Pinto, emphasized the company’s role in promoting sustainable mining.
Sigma Lithium, which operates in the Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais, processes battery-grade lithium sustainably, adopting a zero-carbon policy in its operations. The company seeks to balance economic development with respect for the environment and local communities, serving as an example of sustainable practices in the mineral industry.
Sigma Lithium’s participation in the mission highlighted the importance of ESG practices not only for attracting investment but also for ensuring Brazil’s global competitiveness in the exploration of critical minerals.
Scientific Innovation as a Strategic Pillar
Another crucial point of the mission was the focus on science and innovation as pillars for sustainable mining. On October 2nd, a Science and Innovation roundtable brought together British universities and research centers with the Brazilian delegation to discuss the role of new technologies in the exploration of critical minerals.
This meeting emphasized the importance of scientific innovation to mitigate the environmental impacts of mining, promoting, for example, technologies that encourage the recycling of essential materials.
Innovation was widely recognized as a fundamental path to transforming the mineral sector, enabling it to adapt to demands for sustainability. As pressure for greener technologies increases, scientific research becomes an essential tool for developing solutions that reduce the environmental damage of mineral extraction while promoting operational efficiency.
Visit to the Eden Project and Future Prospects
On October 4th, the Brazilian delegation visited the Eden Project, located in the Cornwall region. Considered one of the most innovative projects in the sustainable use of mining, the Eden Project is an initiative that combines environmental recovery practices with mineral exploration.
The visit provided the delegation with a practical view of how the UK is addressing environmental challenges in the mineral sector, serving as a source of inspiration for developing similar projects in Brazil and other Latin American countries.
The mission as a whole highlighted the urgent need to adopt more sustainable practices in the exploration of natural resources, at a time when demand for critical minerals is growing exponentially, particularly to meet the global energy transition.
The focus on sustainability, innovation, and ESG governance was reinforced throughout the mission, with mineral sector leaders recognizing the importance of international cooperation to ensure the security and development of global supply chains.
Brazil’s Strategic Role in the Global Energy Transition
As the world moves towards an economy based on green technologies, Brazil positions itself as a strategic player in the exploration of critical minerals. The country, which holds significant reserves of lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, essential for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries and generating clean energy, has the potential to become one of the leading suppliers of these elements on the global stage.
However, for this potential to be fully realized, it is essential that Brazil continues to invest in technological innovation, sustainable mining practices, and policies that attract foreign investment.
Events like the critical minerals mission to the UK are fundamental for promoting dialogue between producing and consuming countries, ensuring that the exploration of these resources is conducted responsibly and sustainably.
