Could you introduce us to Anglo American Brasil and your operations in the country?

Anglo American has been present in Brazil for more than 50 years, pursuing the purpose of reimagining mining to improve people's lives. Currently, the company has two principal businesses in the country: iron ore production in Conceição do Mato Dentro and Alvorada de Minas (MG) through the Minas-Rio System, which encompasses one of the largest mining pipelines in the world, 529 km long, passing through 33 municipalities between Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, until filtering and export at the Porto do Açu (RJ); and ferronickel production in the state of Goiás, in the municipalities of Barro Alto and Niquelândia.

The pellet feed we produce in Minas-Rio is premium class, with a high iron content of around 41% and low levels of impurities. Our product is essential for decarbonizing the steel production chain, with low carbon emissions, contributing to reducing scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions in value chains) for the mining industry and beyond. Regarding the nickel business, where Anglo American's history in Brazil began, and our oldest operation, the main customer is the stainless-steel industry.

 Together, Anglo American's projects in Brazil generate around 15,000 jobs, including their direct and indirect employment, in addition to investments of approximately R$13 billion, which are expected between 2024 and 2028.

Could you discuss Anglo American Brasil's ESG practices and commitments?

In line with our purpose of reimagining mining to improve people's lives, Anglo American seeks to delve deeper into ESG practices through its Sustainable Mining Plan. Our Sustainable Mining Plan guides the company's actions based on three pillars: Healthy Environment, Prosperous Communities and Trustworthy Corporate Leadership. With this plan, the company contributes to achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The objectives of Anglo American's Sustainable Mining Plan include partnerships to improve the education and health systems of the communities that host its operations, generation of jobs disconnected from the mining value chain, strengthening transparency and integrity mechanisms, focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in operational plants, efficient management of water resources used in mining, positive impact on biodiversity and safety and responsibility in operations, among many other topics.

As a highlight of these objectives, since 2022, 100% of Anglo American's electrical energy consumption in Brazil comes from certified renewable sources. Anglo American also has around 32,000 hectares of protected areas in Brazil, between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest, which represents more than six times its area operated in the country.

It is worth mentioning that in 2024, both the Minas-Rio iron ore complex and Barro Alto nickel projects received recognition of the IRMA standard, an acronym referring to the Responsible Mining Guarantee Initiative. Both operations achieved the IRMA 75 performance level, an unprecedented recognition worldwide for the iron ore and nickel businesses. To obtain this recognition, the two mines were evaluated by independent auditors who observed around 400 requirements, divided into four principles: business integrity, positive legacy, social responsibility, and environmental responsibility.

What is your perspective on the state of the mining industry in Brazil and its trajectory?

Mining is one of the Brazilian economy's three main sectors and one with the greatest potential for growth in the next decade. It is a strategic activity for the country, responsible for a legacy of social and technological development and contributing to tax revenue and job creation.

In terms of the sector's challenges, we need to promote a consistent mineral policy that recognizes the activity's importance for the country's socioeconomic development. This includes, among other things, adequate financing and credit lines for the sector, a fair tax burden, greater geological knowledge of the mapped territory, and strengthening of the National Mining Agency (ANM) and other bodies responsible for the mineral industry.

In relation to the business, regardless of the forecasts that appear and price fluctuations in the commodities market, we need to focus on our responsibility, which is increasingly safe, responsible, efficient, and sustainable production and offering high-quality products to the market.