By Québec Government Office in São Paulo*
At a time when the entire world is paying close attention to mining, the Québec Government Office in São Paulo is organizing a delegation of 20 Québec companies for the 20th edition of Exposibram, to be held from August 24 to 27 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. This is the largest trade delegation ever organized by the Government of Québec in connection with Exposibram, an event in which the province has traditionally participated alongside the Government of Canada. Coordinating a delegation at the trade fair is part of Québec’s strategy to expand trade relations in strategic and complementary sectors, such as critical minerals.
One of the most important events in Brazil’s mining sector, Exposibram takes place in the year in which IBRAM (the Brazilian Mining Institute) celebrates its 50th anniversary. The trade fair combines an exhibition of cutting-edge services and solutions with discussions on public policies, innovations and trends shaping the future of mining. This edition promises to be particularly significant: it is expected to be the largest in the event’s history, with 750 booths and approximately 100,000 visitors over its four days.
At this gathering, where the leading names in Brazil’s mining industry come together, Québec companies will bring their solutions and technologies to Brazil in areas including engineering and project management, exploration, drilling and surveying, mineral analysis and characterization, health and safety, operational planning and optimization, automation and digital technologies, connectivity, underground ventilation, material handling, industrial equipment, dust control, asset management and environmental solutions.
The delegation includes not only companies that are new to the Brazilian market — attracted by the sector’s vast potential — but also companies already established in Brazil through subsidiaries, distributors or official representatives.
But what are the advantages of doing business with Québec companies? According to João Collet, who oversees the mining sector at the Québec Government Office in São Paulo, in addition to offering innovative and complementary solutions across the entire mining value chain, from extraction to the end consumer, these companies are part of a robust ecosystem that combines high levels of private investment — approximately CAD 6 billion per year — with government initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector and financing research and development. “This year, we are seeing tremendous interest from companies in the program we are putting together during Exposibram, in partnership with organizations such as the Government of Canada, the CCBC and FIEMG. What stands out is not only the number of companies that have expressed interest, but also the diversity of solutions these companies offer: all kinds of equipment, software and services,” João adds.
Québec is one of Canada’s major mining hubs, accounting for one-fifth of the country’s total mining activity, with particular strengths in the production of critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, iron ore concentrate, zinc and niobium.
In addition to its participation in the trade fair, the Québec Government Office will also organize complementary activities for the delegation, focused on networking and introducing participants to the Brazilian market.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the views of the CCBC and is the sole responsibility of the author of this content.
