News

13/09/22

Diplomats from Peru, South Korea, the Netherlands and Iran attended the event

The opening ceremony of EXPOSIBRAM 2022 brought together representatives of companies, associations and diplomats from several countries, in front of a crowded auditorium at Expominas, in Belo Horizonte/MG, on the afternoon of the last Monday (9/12). Ambassadors from Peru, South Korea, the Netherlands and Iran were present, in addition to political authorities such as the secretary of Geology, Mining and Mineral Transformation (SGM) of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Lilia Mascarenhas Sant’Agostino; and the CEO of the Geological Survey of Brazil, Pedro Paulo Dias Mesquita.

Hosts of the event, Raul Jungmann, president of the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM), and Wilfred Bruijn, president of the Board of Directors of the Institute and CEO of Anglo American in Brazil, made the first statements, marking the opening of the meeting. Both thanked the presence of the public and guests, and highlighted the importance of EXPOSIBRAM’s return after three years.

“Undoubtedly, it is a stage for all of us to exchange ideas, share new knowledge, talk about evolution, innovation and transmit experiences we have had over the last few years”, said Bruijn. “This is the biggest meeting in South America focused on the mining sector. Here we must show that it is a sector that has not only economic ambitions, but also to become increasingly important for society”, said Jungmann.

The president of the Brazilian Institute of Mining (IBRAM) highlighted in his speech that changes in Brazilian legislation are fundamental for mining. “Our future involves tax reform and a specific labor reform. To give you an idea, today women are restricted from working in underground mines, something that, constitutionally, makes no sense,” said Jungmann.

CEO of IBRAM, Raul Jungmann – credit: Glenio Campregher

The opening ceremony also featured video statements by the Governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema, and the Minister of Mines and Energy, Adolfo Sachsida. Both thanked the invitation to participate in the event, highlighted the importance of mining for the country’s economy and praised EXPOSIBRAM.

With new milestones and the consolidation of specific credit instruments for the mineral sector, Minister Adolfo Sachsida stated that the government’s commitment to the mineral sector is to double the participation of mining in GDP in 5 years, from 2.4% to 4, 8%. He added that mining has good opportunities for investment and expansion. One example is the global energy transition agenda. “There is no energy transition without mining. This is a great moment for Brazil and its mining. We cannot miss this window of opportunity.”

Governor Romeu Zema said that mining is one of the main economic activities in the state. “Our challenge continues to be economic diversification and production with greater added value, without neglecting safety and environmental preservation. I am sure that mining businessmen and professionals are focused on these challenges and on the growth of this sector, which is so important for the economy of Minas Gerais and Brazil as well”, he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by Carlos França, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lilia de Sant’Agostino, deputy secretary of Geology, Mining and Mineral Transformation (SGM) of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Pedro Paulo Dias Mesquita, director -President of the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB-CPRM), Carlos Henrique Guedes, Special Advisor to the Government of Minas Gerais and Liaison with the Federal Government, André Prado de Vasconcelos, Federal Judge, Jose Fernando Aparecido de Oliveira, Mayor of Conceição do Mato Dentro and President of the Association of Mining Municipalities of Minas Gerais (AMIG), Fernando de Avelar, Secretary of State for Economic Development of Minas Gerais, Victor Hugo, Director General of the National Mining Agency (ANM), Marcelo Fonseca, Director General of Instituto Mineiro de Gestão das Águas (IGAM) and Guido Roberto Campos Germani, president of the Union of Mineral Industries of the State of Pará (Simineral).