Brazilian publicly held company BR Malls Participacoes S.A. Tuesday announced it had bought 49.99 per cent of CIMA Empreendimentos do Brasil S.A. The deal gives BR Malls Participacoes the option to acquire the remaining 50.01 per cent stake of CIMA Empreendimentos do Brasil S.A. CIMA Empreendimentos do Brasil S.A. holds a 100 per cent stake in Shopping Tijuca and three commercial towers that are part of the same complex located in the Tijuca neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro.

Apogee Enterprises Inc reported it had acquired Brazilian firm Glassec Vidros de Seguranca Ltda. In its press release, Apogee Enterprises said it had acquired 100 per cent of the stock of the Brazilian firm. Glassec Vidros de Seguranca Ltda is the leading architectural glass fabricator in Brazil and its takeover will cost Apogee approximately $22 million. The deal includes the assumption of approximately $2 million in debt of the Brazilian firm.

Petrobras and its partners are to invest $3 billion in the construction of three pipelines for the transport of Ethanol from Brazilian sugarcane growing areas to local markets, as well as for export. Paulo Roberto Costa, Petrobras director for supplies told reporters in Sao Paolo the state owned oil giant is mulling the investment plans, as it seeks to bolster its Ethanol export earnings.

Emerging iron ore producer South American Ferro Metals Limited (SAFM) announced it has commenced production of iron ore from its Brazilian acquired project, the Ponto Verde Iron Ore Project. The production was possible thanks to an agreement South American Ferro Metals Limited had with Brazil’s LGA Mineracao e Siderurgia (LGA).

Brazilian media reported over the weekend that a minimum of five banks have expressed interest in purchasing a stake in Brazilian mid-size lender Panamericano. The media reports come in the wake of Panamericano’s cash challenges; emerging just days after the lender received an emergency cash boost to plug what the firm termed “accounting inconsistencies.” Panamericano has been fighting to stay afloat, with the financial bailout rescuing it from an impending collapse.

US based General Electric (GE) Wednesday announced it is to spend $500 million in Brazil for the expansion of its operations. In separate announcements regarding its investment plans, GE said it is planning multi-million dollar undertakings in Brazil and China, to be invested in projects in clean energy, electric transportation and smart grid development.

Avanco Resources is to raise A$20 million for the acceleration of its expansion plans for its mining projects in Brazil. The Brazil focused mineral explorer said it will be raising the finances via a placement to institutional and sophisticated investors. The money is to be put into the expansion and speed-up of its copper and nickel/platinum projects.

Reports have indicated that the Brazilian government may re-introduce tax for foreign investors who invest in bonds. The Brazilian government is seeking to prevent the country’s currency from appreciating too far against the US dollar. The reports were carried by Brazil’s O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper on Saturday. However, the paper said the government would hold its waters till the discussions at the Group of 20 heads of state in South Korea this week.

US based Gold-focused Royalty Company Bullion Monarch Mining Wednesday said in a press release it has agreed to acquire Dourave Canada, a private mining and exploration company, along with the properties of its Brazilian subsidiary, Dourave Brazil, in an all share deal. The American said it has appended a letter of intent with the Canadian firm over its investment plans for a complete take over.

In an earnings presentation in Brazil, the world’s largest iron ore producer Vale announced its plans to record some $24 billion next year as it diversifies toward high value metals and lucrative fertilizers. The Brazilian mining giant has a massive capital spending budget, with its 2010 investments peaking at a whopping $12.9 billion. The 2011 capital spending budget is double the firms spending this year.

Australian Brazil focused Miner Avanco Resources stands to earn around 75 per cent interest in a nickel/platinum project in Brazil, reports revealed over the weekend. The Australian Stock Exchange Listed Avanco Resources has already finished undertaking due diligence studies and reiterated that its already committed to doing a 1 500-m drilling campaign.