10:39 | Washington, D.C. (U.S.), May. 30.
Energy and Mines Minister Romulo Mucho affirmed that Peru plays a highly important role in the transition to renewable energies in the United States since the South American country has enormous resources in terms of critical minerals.
The government official participated as a speaker at the U.S. Decarbonization and Industrial Transition Summit, organized by the prestigious British media outlet Financial Times, in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
"Countries possessing these critical minerals become highly interesting because, without them, we cannot combat global warming," he indicated at the beginning of his participation at the "Optimizing Latin America's opportunity in enabling the U.S. energy transition" panel discussion.
Mucho affirmed that
South America hosts almost 75% of lithium reserves and almost 45% of copper,
metals important for an energy transition and compliance with "Net Zero" —a commitment assumed by countries to decarbonize and advance further towards renewable energy use.
He noted that our country produces 8 critical minerals, adding that lithium (in rocks) has just been discovered, with the project estimated to have between 6 and 7 million tons in reserves.
"It is a metal very important for the production of electric cars that is increasing and is of great interest to the world," he noted.
"The golden era had its moment; now it will be the era of copper, which is currently the most important mineral, and whose international value has reached US$11,000 per ton," he indicated.
In this regard, Mucho invited North American companies to explore mining opportunities in Peru.
(END) NDP/MVB
Published: 5/30/2024