Lithium exports set to undergo twofold surge at Brazil’s Açu Port

A shipment of 200,000 tonnes of spodumene and lithium has crowned the Port of Açu in São João da Barra as a focal point for exports of these strategic minerals produced in the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais. A record last year, the port terminal shipped 84,145 tonnes of spodumene in six days, at an average of 14,300 tonnes per day.

This year, studies show that the volume of the mineral, from which both high-grade and low-grade lithium are extracted, could more than double.

Ahead of the anticipated demand, the Port of Açu has invested R$ 300 million in the last two years in the multi-cargo port terminal and warehouses. João Braz, the operations director of the Port of Açu, mentioned the investment includes a new docking berth and nearly 70,000 square meters of operating area, with 30,000 square meters dedicated to lithium alone.

Lithium is one of the world’s most coveted minerals, especially by countries big on high-tech products, as the mineral is used to manufacture electric batteries found in devices such as laptops, smartphones, drones, and cameras, among others.

Braz commented that lithium is also essential for electric vehicles. “So, we have set up an ideal logistics system for our clients,” added Braz.

It’s not just lithium that makes Açu one of the main points for exporting and importing goods from Minas Gerais. “Today, excluding oil and gas, 95% of the cargo handled at the Port of Açu originates from or is destined for Minas,” says the executive. The state accounts for 60% of all cargo at the multi-cargo facility.

The projection is that the port drew an 84 million tonnes throughput in 2023, marking a 40% growth compared to the volume of shipments and landings from the previous year. The port’s throughput should reach 100 million tonnes this year, said Braz.

Source: Campos 24 horas

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