Minas Gerais state to host Brazil Lithium Summit in May 2025

Minas Gerais state in Brazil announced that it will host the second edition of the Brazil Lithium Summit on May 13-15 next year.

The summit comes as the state is working to overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities to develop its potential in the lithium industry, mainly in the Jequitinhonha valley. Minas Gerais is already a center for domestic iron ore production. 

The event will be held in state capital Belo Horizonte. The first lithium summit took place in the same city on June 12-13 this year.

"The crucial role today of the Minas Gerais government in leading Brazil toward the energy transition underway around the world is undeniable," Fernando Passalio, the state secretary of economic development, said in a statement. 

"Lithium is one of the key elements in this process, not only from the perspective of decarbonizing our economy, but also as a path to development and a new future for the population of the Jequitinhonha valley," he added.

"Minas Gerais has great potential to develop a broad value chain associated with lithium production, but there are some challenges to be faced, mainly the issue of attracting a specialized labor force," Manuel Fernandes, a leading partner in the energy and natural resources sector at consultancy KPMG, told BNamericas.

For next year's summit, the state government expects to attract the top 400 C-level professionals in the industry from around the world, offering networking opportunities, panel discussions, case studies and one-on-one business meetings, in addition to numerous business opportunities.

Minas Gerais aims to attract up to 30bn reais (US$5.6bn) in investments through 2030 in the Jequitinhonha valley area, according to a state government spokesperson. The area, known as Lithium Valley, hosts the largest reserves in the country, but it lacks economic development.

Sigma Lithium and Companhia Brasileira de Lítio (CBL) have operations in the area, while Atlas Lithium, Lithium Ionic and Latin Resources are also active.