Could you tell us more about IN-VR’s role in the lithium industry?

IN-VR introduced 23 new international lithium companies to Brazil as first-time investors. Thanks to our global network of investors in critical minerals and lithium, with a special focus on the LatAm market (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Brazil), the Net-Zero Circle, IN-VR’s community and networking arm has helped bridge the gap between international capital and local opportunities. Our role is to facilitate these connections, ensure that investors understand the potential of markets like Brazil, and guide them through the regulatory and operational landscape until they make their Final Investment Decisions. For example, in Brazil alone, we organized over 180 private business meetings between government officials and the private sector in just two days—demonstrating the impressive momentum that develops when industry and government are brought together in a focused setting. What is your assessment of the way in which the government of Minas Gerais, Invest Minas and the private sector cooperate?

This B2G collaboration has been instrumental in driving growth and attracting international investments. In particular, the team at Invest Minas stands out as one of the best we’ve worked with globally, and it’s something we mention very often. Their proactive approach, willingness to help, and focus on delivering results have consistently exceeded expectations. While the cooperation is strong, there is always room to further streamline processes, especially when it comes to fast-tracking new projects. Increased coordination between regulatory frameworks and quicker approval times could unlock even greater opportunities for investment and innovation in the region. Our own experience in Brazil has shown how such cooperation across the industry grows the lithium ecosystem, bringing greater investment through increased awareness of opportunities. In your assessment, what are the opportunities to fund growth and new technologies there?

Brazil’s Lithium Valley contains 85% of Brazil’s lithium reserves and will be the cornerstone for the country’s sustainable energy future. The combination of government backing, strong international interest, and the presence of top industry players creates a robust foundation for growth. This also opens up numerous funding opportunities for both established players and emerging innovators.

At IN-VR, we see a particularly strong opportunity in collaborative PPP projects where public and private sectors come together to share risk and scale innovation quickly. With production output in Brazil growing by 142% from 2022 to 2023, we see how these partnerships accelerate the development of new technologies that has enabled Brazil to include lithium battery manufacture as one of the main priorities for achieving its Net-Zero emissions targets. A prime example of the success of this approach was the partnership between the Brazilian Geological Survey and Petrobras which saw the development of 3D Magnetic Inversion and Machine Learning technology that dramatically reduced the exploration time for mapping new critical mineral reserves. What is the plan for the Net-Zero Circle in Brazil? And what is your assessment of the future of the Brazilian lithium industry?

The Net-Zero Circle is a global community of industry and government leaders dedicated to achieving a net-zero future. The NZC Chapter in Brazil is all about connecting the right people with the right ideas and opportunities with a strong focus on lithium, rare earths, critical minerals and of course, green hydrogen, solar and wind energies. Our plan is to keep expanding the network of stakeholders, facilitating the conversations and partnerships that will drive Brazil’s journey towards a net-zero future. Let’s not forget that Brazil will be the host of COP30, at a very critical time for climate change and the energy transition.

We will continue ensuring that both public and private sectors collaborate effectively to implement green technologies as without such technological breakthroughs, we can’t possibly support the immense demand from the local market, as well as from international giants, such as China, India and, of course, North America. As for the future of Brazil’s lithium industry, the potential is vast. Brazil is not just rich in resources—it also has the strategic advantage of being one of the most cost competitive suppliers of lithium worldwide. At IN-VR, we see our role as continuing to bring more investors to the table, connecting them with the right projects and partners, and ensuring that innovation and sustainability are at the forefront.