M4E Lithium
Exploring and developing hard-rock lithium mineral properties.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | N/A | Growth Equity non VC | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
M4E Lithium is a private mineral exploration company founded in May 2021 and headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil. The company focuses on the acquisition, exploration, and development of hard-rock lithium deposits, primarily within Brazil's notable Lithium Valley and Borborema regions. M4E holds exploration rights to a substantial land package of 91,000 hectares, one of the largest among lithium firms in the country. The management team, including CEO Sergio Castanho, Sergio Brandão, and Maurício Hirata, brings extensive experience in mineral exploration and management from major global mining companies like Aura Minerals, Yamana Gold, Anglo American, and Vale.
The company's business model centers on identifying and advancing lithium assets to production. In March 2024, M4E secured a significant financing package of C$7.5 million to C$10 million from Lithium Royalty Corp. (LRC) and the Waratah E&D Fund. This funding includes a C$6 million equity investment, valuing M4E at C$31 million post-money, and a C$1.5 million payment from LRC for a 1.5% royalty on future production. The deal also contains an offtake agreement option for the Waratah E&D Fund to purchase 10% of future lithium production at market prices. These funds are allocated to accelerate exploration activities, including drilling and geological mapping, with the goal of delivering a preliminary mineral resource estimate by mid-2025.
Operating in a mining-friendly jurisdiction, M4E is positioned to capitalize on the increasing global demand for lithium, which is essential for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. The company's projects are strategically located near existing infrastructure and other major lithium operations, such as Sigma Lithium. The government of Minas Gerais's "Lithium Valley Brazil" initiative further supports the sector by streamlining permitting for sustainable projects.
Keywords: lithium exploration, hard-rock lithium, Brazilian mining, mineral properties, battery metals, Lithium Valley Brazil, Borborema, mineral development, mining rights, resource definition, royalty agreement, offtake agreement, mineral exploration funding, pegmatites, energy transition materials, South American mining, junior mining, Sergio Castanho, sustainable mining, battery supply chain