Well, let's not start a stink within our ranks, serves no purpose. We all know Beisha is an asset to this forum as is Dave or moneybags or whatever nic he uses.
Sometimes you have to rise above those who have a half empty glass and whinge constantly. We all know who they are.
I just can't see the western world letting our asset be gifted to China by a handful of simpletons. Have a crack at the corrupt c#nts, not each other.
Hi Dazmac66
Re:
"I just can't see the western world letting our asset be gifted to China by a handful of simpletons".
Unfortunately, that's just what is happening. Western governments, including our own Chinaphile government ignore the plight of AVZ, and only symbolically call out the endemic graft, corruption and bribery that define the Democratic Republic of Corruption (DRC). Our own regional bully-boy, China ignores the rule of law and is up to its chin (no pun intended) in facilitating this corruption. It coverts Manono and will stop at nothing to steal it.
Western governments, including Australia talk about promoting better oversight and regulatory processes in order to fight corruption, but that's where it ends. They get caught up in the niceties of diplomat-speak, and water down any criticisms in the interest of good government relations. While Red Penny Wong licks Xi Jinping's boots, AVZ is abandoned to fight alone.
You would think that the biggest and brightest hardrock lithium resource on the planet would generate plenty of financing and partnering interest from the major western miners with deep pockets and a desire for a high grade resource with longevity and scale. Glencore, SQM, Albermale, BHP and Rio come to mind. However even they are reticent to wade into this swamp for fear of having their assets arbitrarily stripped away and passed on to the equally corrupt Chinese...just as the corrupt-to-the bone DRC government is doing to AVZ. The commercial risk is simply too high.
In the end, AVZ is left to fight this David and Golliath battle single-handedly. Depending on who blinks first, the result is likely a negotiated least-worst option outcome possibly sometime in 2024 while spodumine is in surplus and prices depressed, or it plays out fully over the next couple of years through the international arbitration courts, ICC and ICSID.
Regardless of the final outcome and amount of capital returned to us, we shareholders will lick our wounds and move on to the next big lithium gamble...maybe this time focusing on Canada rather than Africa.
Cheers
F
