The IDB Group is building secure, sustainable value chains for critical minerals through responsible mining, investment, and infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean.
IDB LAC Minerals helps turn Latin America and the Caribbean’s rich mineral resources into sustainable growth and better lives. By promoting secure and responsible value chains, the initiative supports the region’s transition from underground wealth to long‑term development.
Through a single, integrated platform, the IDB Group provides technical assistance and financing solutions, including blended financing, to support the sustainable extraction, refining, and processing of critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, and molybdenum.
of global critical minerals are in Latin America and the Caribbean
in annual metal exports
in mineral projects under development
in market potential by 2040
in required global investment (IEA estimate)
The IDB Group brings together sovereign lending, private‑sector financing, blended financing, and technical assistance under a single platform to de‑risk projects and mobilize private capital for extraction, refining, processing, and related infrastructure.
We support policy and regulatory reforms, institutional capacity building, and strong governance to create predictable, high‑standard investment environments.
We also promote value addition beyond extraction – through infrastructure, logistics, processing capacity, local suppliers, and skills – to help countries move up the value chain and strengthen the resilience of regional supply chains.
IDB LAC Minerals has received strong international support:
- Japan: $20 million contribution through the Japan Resilience Initiative
- Canada: Exploring technical assistance, blended financing, and guarantees
- Finland: Knowledge partner on sustainable mining and co-investment opportunities
- Italy (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti): Exploring financial instruments
Additional support has been expressed by countries including: Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
IDB LAC Minerals is structured around three key pillars:
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Supports governments in identifying actionable strategies, tools, and frameworks to boost investment and accelerate the development of critical mineral value chains.
Expands geological knowledge and data availability to inform investment decisions and strengthen the pipeline of bankable projects.
Provides data-driven insights to identify investment gaps and prioritize opportunities across critical mineral value chains.
The loan will boost exports and Argentina’s integration into global value chains, driving job creation and local business activity in Salta
IDB Invest report: leveraging smart mining in Latin America and the Caribbean amid surging global demand for critical minerals.
We are the main source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean.
IDB Invest aims to be the partner of choice for the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. We finance projects to advance clean energy, modernize agriculture, strengthen transportation systems and expand access to financing.
IDB Lab is the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group). We focus on entrepreneurship and technology to cocreate solutions for development challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Whether you are a new supplier or an experienced contractor, this is your gateway taking part in IDB-financed projects that drive sustainable development and growth across Latin America and the Caribbean.