Bahia state, Chinese players form mining workgroup

Brazil’s Bahia state and representatives of Chinese groups formed a mining working group. 

Officials of the state’s economic development secretariat, mineral research company CBPM and of the economic and social studies entity, as well as Chinese companies Sul Americana de Metais, CITIC, and China Metais e Minerais do Brasil will discuss the state’s potential.

"In the energy transition, due to the appeal arising from climate change, it is essential that everyone understands the importance of mining. Bahia ranks third among Brazilian states in terms of mining production, but has the greatest diversification," CBPM president Henrique Carballal said in a statement.

"We have research involving lithium, graphite, rare earths, cobalt and nickel. Bahia is a large producer of nickel, which is used in batteries. Therefore, as the state has this potential and China is currently a hope in technology for the world, a hope in the desire to contribute to the energy transition, we observe that investment in energy transition technology is the result of the political will of a people that has learned throughout its history to overcome adversities," added Carballal, who will lead the group.

Days prior to the group's creation, Chinese electric vehicle company BYD announced plans to build a 3bn-real (US$600mn) industrial complex in Bahia.

The firm wants to install three factories to produce electric vehicles, bus chassis and battery technologies, processing lithium and iron phosphate.

First-phase production of 150,000 vehicles per year should start late 2024 or early 2025, according to a state press release.