Romeu Zema: If it's a solid project that stands on its own, the government has to step in as a financing agent.
Romeu Zema: Of course, taking all guarantees, etc.
So I say that the path rare earths will follow is the same that lithium has also followed in Minas Gerais — for those who don't know, during my tenure as governor we created the Vale do Lítio (Lithium Valley).
Romeu Zema: In northern Minas, Vilela, we had one of the state's least developed regions, which is the Vale do Jequitinhonha, which was even known as the region of widows of living husbands.
Romeu Zema: Because most of the men would leave for other states, mainly São Paulo, southern Minas, to work and would send a little money back to the wives who stayed behind taking care of the children.