Absolutely, Cath have heaps more advantages than Zijin, we purportedly have a good working relationship with them, they have capital clout and processing skills to energise the battery hub vision, plus one has to assume their integrity is much better....Gotta go a step bigger / further out.
I'm guessing that MoU will also cover something about processing.
That's one of the big sweeteners that we can offer to DRC without giving up project equity or tenements. With CATH as partners, it's also one of the big advantages we have over zijin. CATH have processing experience and can help set that up in the DRC, which is ultimately the bug picture goal for them - much more than just mining royalties. Would be a big win-win.
By comparison what does zijin offer? Mining only, shipped off to be processed in China, often fudging the numbers to minimise tax revenue. Oh and with a side-serve of human rights abuses for the local population.
My question to Nigel would be:
"When stating 'maintain positive working relationships with all stakeholders', who specifically are the stakeholders that will continue to be involved with the project post-awarding of the mining license?"
I dont believe Zijin will be in the equation at all, nor cominiere, hence why they have colluded to seek financial compensation from AVZ thru ICC arbitration which is baseless.
I dont believe AVZ have to give up project equity or concession on CDL, but will have to formulate a JV to progress it, which is standard practice in Australian mining if its not your core project.
Lets see what transpires.