Brazil mining M&As expected to intensify

The number of mergers and acquisitions in Brazil’s mining sector will increase amid the clean energy transition. 

"We should see many investments in minerals related to the clean energy segment or initiatives," Gabriel Ervilha, the head of investor relations at development bank BNDES told BNamericas.

So far, mining M&As are in preliminary stages and involve rather small financial amounts. 

Canada-based Lithium Ionic agreed to acquire two lithium mining licenses from Galvani Nordeste Mineracao in Minas Gerais state for US$3.2mn. 

The licenses are near Sigma Lithium’s Xuxa deposit and CBL’s lithium operation, Lithium Ionic said in a press release.

Lithium Ionic also owns the Itinga lithium project in Minas Gerais state, which comprises five licenses covering over 1,300ha in the Araceli lithium province. 

Meanwhile, Gratomic acquired three exploration licenses in the graphite segment in Bahia state. The company bought the rights and interests related to the Jacobina and Igrapiuna properties.

Gratomic also has projects in Namibia and Canada. The company aims to become a leading global graphite supplier and secure a strong position in the electric vehicle battery supply chain.