Maxtech Ventures Inc. signed a joint venture agreement to explore various mining claims in Brazil with Daniel Geyerhahn Garcia of Goldmen Resources Brazil and his partners.

The company said Oct. 9 that the partnership will help accelerate claims with trial mining licenses to enable development, with a focus on manganese, vanadium and other strategic minerals.

The deal gives Maxtech access to projects that are already owned or under negotiation, with the partnership also planning to secure off-take agreements.

Maxtech said the first targeted claims are in the Cipó mountain range, part of the Espinhaço chain in eastern Brazil, with evaluation underway.