Here is the English translation of the press release dated March 24, 2025, from COMINIERE SA:
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Press Release of March 24, 2025
Declaration from COMINIERE SA (a commercial and mining company of the Portfolio of the State of the DRC) concerning the allegations of widespread corruption targeting the AVZ group and its executives following the provisional measures issued by the Arbitration Court of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in case no. 27720 on March 10, 2025.
La Congolaise d’Exploitation Minière (COMINIERE) informs both national and international audiences that the decision of the ICC Tribunal was made in a context where allegations of corruption were revealed against the AVZ group and its executives. This led COMINIERE to call on AVZ to withdraw its claims and cooperate with the police authorities.
COMINIERE states: "AVZ has lost the right to do business in the Manono project in the DRC after the termination of the JV contract due to shocking corruption allegations revealed by their own lawyer." COMINIERE insists that "AVZ must immediately stop this procedure and cooperate with the police to bring to justice those in its company involved in criminal behavior."
This declaration follows shocking public revelations from AVZ’s lawyer, Mr. Christian Lukusa from Momentum Attorneys, regarding corruption and post-deal arrangements involving AVZ and its executives in the lithium project of Manono.
COMINIERE is aware of and supports the investigations being carried out by the Australian federal police, the DRC police, and other judicial authorities in their efforts to investigate and bring AVZ and its management to justice. COMINIERE has also promptly informed the ICC Tribunal of these corruption allegations in addition to those already submitted. All these proceedings are ongoing.
On March 10, 2025, the ICC Tribunal confirmed a prior decision on provisional, not definitive, measures, notably imposing a significant penalty against COMINIERE. However, the Tribunal was not aware of these new revelations when it made its decision. COMINIERE also observes that this decision conflicts with Congolese law and public order.
COMINIERE will therefore continue to oppose AVZ’s allegations before the ICC, while also pursuing its own claim against AVZ before the ICC and other judicial bodies to assert its rights.
Celestin KIBEYA KABEMBA
General Director
(With official stamp)
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