RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Mines and Industry, Bandar Al-Khorayaf, will visit Brazil and Chile this week, the ministry said on Sunday.
In Brazil, he will meet with officials to discuss expanding mining capacity, food processing and aviation issues, while in Chile he will explore producing lithium for electric car batteries.
“This is in line with the Kingdom’s direction to expand EV production,” a Saudi government statement said.
Alcorayaf will arrive in Brazil on Monday and depart for Chile, the world's second-largest lithium producer, next Sunday.
In the first leg of its Brazilian tour, Alcorayaf will meet with agricultural and industrial groups including Minerva Foods, JBS and BRF SA, as well as the Brazilian Mining Association and mining company Vale.
Brazil's Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira said last month that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund plans to invest $15 billion in Brazil in areas including green hydrogen, infrastructure and renewable energy.
In Chile, the minister will meet with Lithium Industry Minister Aurora Williams, the mining company Antofagasta, and Codelco, the state-owned company tasked with engaging the Chilean government in the lithium industry.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi mining company Ma'aden, which PIF owns 67% of, have established a joint venture called Manara Minerals to invest in overseas mining assets.
