Between discourse and practice: BNDES, Sigma Lithium and lithium mining in the Jequitinhonha Valley

The Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection - IDEC - through the Guide to Responsible Banks (Fair Finance Brazil), prepared the study that evaluates possible contradictions in the institutional policies of the company Sigma Lithium and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), confronting them with their practices in the context of financing and execution of lithium extraction projects in the Jequitinhonha Valley.

The study shows that while the mining company presents itself as a pioneer in the production of "green lithium" and aligns its image with ESG principles, according to reports collected from other sources, local communities denounce human rights violations, environmental degradation and lack of transparency.

Read the full study here.

Read the Executive Summary (in Portuguese).

Read the Executive Summary (in English).