Under no circumstances would we want to slip under 51% - we want to retain control because that is the only way the DRC and Shareholders are going to receive true value. Otherwise we run the risk of our profits being offshored - in my opinion. In addition, one of the conditions of the issuance of the mining license is that someone holds 51% stake - please correct me if I am wrong.The whole issue is the difficulty in enforcing the first right of refusal and getting that 15% back off Zijin, whether AVZ purchase it or give it directly to CATH.
This is why I have suggested trying to enforce the terms of the CATH agreement and obtaining the $240 million of funding. Get some of the powerful Chinese on side with skin in the game which may help to move things along and put pressure on DRC to grant the mining licence. It may discourage other Chinese entities from competing against CATH as well.
This would require us to "run the gauntlet" so to speak and risk ending up with 36% if everything went against us. The alternative appears to be that we stay in this gridlock for years on end. When I have mentioned this in the past people don't seem to get it. If we keep continuing down this path of multiple ICC cases with all Zijin's delaying tactics then realistically we may sort out the jurisdictional issues in 2024. Then get into the details of the cases in 2025-26 and then hope for a favourable resolution after that. It is a long time to wait and hope the corrupt DRC Government don't take action against AVZ before then.
Maybe the board of directors have some sort of additional information which makes them think continuing down this path is the right way to go. I hope that is true. Maybe there will be a change in Government at the next election. Who knows how that would affect things.
Regards,
Silence