AVZ Discussion 2022

[Dave Evans]

Michael J. Kavanagh is a Bloomberg journalist. Michael Bloomberg (the majority owner of Bloomberg News’s parent Bloomberg LP) is an investor in Gates’ Breakthrough Energy, which holds a stake in KoBold, according to the company's website

https://x.com/kat_prive/status/1905646960117239978

Here’s an updated link to the Bloomberg article (with embedded links) that’s not behind a paywall

Rio Tinto Talks With Congo Over Developing Prize Lithium Deposit

Rio Tinto Group has held talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo about developing one of the world’s biggest hard rock lithium deposits, in the latest sign of the miner’s enthusiasm for the battery metal.

www.bloomberg.com

Given Bloomberg’s reputation and links to KoBold, you would have to think they are pushing to get this deal done before the arbitration cases are due, especially given the information @Dazmac66 provided above regarding the signatories to the ICSID

If all that doesn’t incentivise the fat idiot running the DRC to strike a deal before the ICC and ICSID rulings he’s even bigger idiot than any of us realised

Anyway just to add to the speculation, here’s Gates with the fat idiot

 

[j.l]

In other news, AVZ's DFS assumed an SC6 price of USD 699/t.

Even though the lithium market is in the doldrums, that price assumption is still 15-20% below recent SC6 pricing...

 

[Doc]

In other news, AVZ's DFS assumed an SC6 price of USD 699/t.

Even though the lithium market is in the doldrums, that price assumption is still 15-20% below recent SC6 pricing...

We never did see the revised feasibility study did we? I think it was a BFS…?

 

[j.l]

@Doc, I used this piece of ancient history.

 

[Dazmac66]

Rio Tinto Enters Negotiations with Congo for Strategic Lithium Deposit

Discover how Rio Tinto's negotiations with Congo for the Roche Dure lithium deposit expand their battery materials portfolio.

discoveryalert.com.au

Expansion on previous article!

I am just wondering how they know so much about the Roche Dure deposit? Sounds like we should be selling $10 tickets to the AVZ core sample library!

 

[Carlos Danger]

Beat me to it.
Nobody wants to be a wet blanket, but this does really have a long way to go.
That said, assuming we win all of the court cases, or maybe some are never heard and we are awarded ML and etc,etc, my oly worry is what compensation we rceive for the North.
I suspect that our new bessies will leave it to Zijin and will have no interest in the outcome.

I think it was @Carlos Danger, if I recall correctly, who a year or so ago set out why AVZ had already lost CDL
NF is adamant that this is not the case, so it will also be interesting to see what our actual legal status is there.

If NF is correct then it will allow him to use RD as leverage for CDL.

KoBold’s letter said they wanted AVZ to transfer all of their rights to Manono to them. We will in turn receive appropriate compensation. That implies we will be paid to walk away and it would be up to them to work out who gets what. A potential offer from Rio could be different but it seems they are also mainly interested in the south. How much will be on offer perhaps changes depending on what is legally established which might be what Graeme Johnston was alluding to.

As for the north Nigel is obviously privy to facts I’m not and I’ve always said that I can only work off public information. But his various slips about ‘mica’ and ‘the south has the good powder’ over the years have been interesting to say the least. The mining code is pretty clear that it is the waiver itself that serves as the relinquishment and not the decree. AVZ’s current reasoning (which changed from the original appeal) is that the new decrees stand therefore the tenement is whole again.

But the waiver can still be enforced if the DRC decides it wants to which is why we have also gotten legal disclaimers like ‘There is a reasonable prospect that a party, including the Company, will be granted a PE in respect of the Carriere de l’Este Mineral Resource. If Dathcom is granted a PE in respect of the Carriere de l’Este Mineral Resource, further negotiations will then be undertaken with the shareholders of Dathcom in relation to the terms of the mining joint venture’ in official announcements imo

 

[Frank]

.

Full text of Bloomberg article

https://x.com/zempheth/status/1905613611784941990

*Another HC Home Run i see

 

[Lucas Don Velor]

I was going to do another Celestine one in my Super Villain series with the headline Big Lips, Sink Ships. But it goes against my rules of engagement.

What about a cartoon/meme of Celestine being thrown under the rickshaw?!

 

[Frank]

The Ministry of Mines strengthens the fight against fraudulent mineral exploitation

Cleaning up the Congolese mining sector was the focus of a meeting held this Friday, March 28, 2025, between the Ministry of Mines and representatives of mineral processing entities.

According to an official press release from the ministry relayed by the ACP (Congolese Press Agency), the discussions focused on the need for responsible and transparent sourcing.

The Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba, strongly denounced the illegal practices that persist in the sector.

"It is unacceptable that some entities continue to source from uncertified sources, thus promoting fraudulent mining that harms our economy and the environment," he declared.

This initiative is part of the Congolese government's efforts to better regulate the exploitation and marketing of natural resources, with a view to maximizing economic benefits for the country and combating illicit channels fueling the informal mineral trade.

The Ministry of Mines intends to strengthen controls and collaborate with stakeholders in the sector to ensure a more transparent framework that respects environmental and economic standards.

mediacongo

https://x.com/Amovatio/status/1905775069001125918

https://x.com/brendo726/status/1905816278163652671

*Thanks to the corrupt Clowns like Cominiere & Kizito

 

[Frank]

In other news, AVZ's DFS assumed an SC6 price of USD 699/t.

Even though the lithium market is in the doldrums, that price assumption is still 15-20% below recent SC6 pricing...

https://x.com/HC_Haplo/status/1905793915908727286

According to mining sector specialist James Morrison, "Rio Tinto's interest in Congo's lithium assets represents a calculated long-term bet on lithium demand rebounding significantly as EV adoption accelerates globally. The current price depression actually creates an ideal entry point for well-capitalized players."

discoveryalert.com.au

 

[Frank]

https://x.com/DominicFurfaro/status/1905726455969100224

https://x.com/AugustCohen4/status/1905760007171580152

https://x.com/GregBeatty17/status/1905787282587890169

 

[wombat74]

Rio Tinto Enters Negotiations with Congo for Strategic Lithium Deposit

Discover how Rio Tinto's negotiations with Congo for the Roche Dure lithium deposit expand their battery materials portfolio.

discoveryalert.com.au

Expansion on previous article!

I am just wondering how they know so much about the Roche Dure deposit? Sounds like we should be selling $10 tickets to the AVZ core sample library!

"I am just wondering how they know so much about the Roche Dure deposit?"

Does RIO have a head office in Perth ?Nigel might of had a BBQ . Invited a few mates.

 

[Frank]

https://x.com/NikkyIntheWorld/status/1905814300570407255

Industry consultant Maria Ndongo explains: "The Congo is becoming a competitive battleground for battery metals, with Western, Chinese, and increasingly Middle Eastern interests vying for access.

https://x.com/emil_jens/status/1905834358495408502

 

[Mr_Tones83]

Rio Tinto Enters Negotiations with Congo for Strategic Lithium Deposit

Discover how Rio Tinto's negotiations with Congo for the Roche Dure lithium deposit expand their battery materials portfolio.

discoveryalert.com.au

Expansion on previous article!

I am just wondering how they know so much about the Roche Dure deposit? Sounds like we should be selling $10 tickets to the AVZ core sample library!

Interesting that this one doesn't mention AVZ at all

 

[j.l]

Interesting that this one doesn't mention AVZ at all

If you mention AVZ the DRC won't talk to you.

 

[RHyNO]

Actual footage of Felix (Lorain) negotiating with us (the bartender) and then Rio and Kobalt arriving.

 

[LOCKY82]

Interesting that this one doesn't mention AVZ at all

Very weird it's almost hard to leave AVZ out of any kind of article involving manono

 

[Flight996]

If you mention AVZ the DRC won't talk to you.

The bastards...

 

[Flight996]

Two things come to mind with RIO's potential play:

1. It seems to be merely a commercial transaction, but without the security guarantees that the DRC is seeking, and
2. If successful, may ultimately be a cash plus scrip offer, which allows RIO to offer a premium over KoBold.

Regardless of who ultimately wins the cupie doll, I kinda think that more potential suiters will be running the numbers.

Cheers
F

 

[PhatCatz]

Rio were in Country mid to late last year fwiw.

I assume there may have been a Manono visit or at least discussions about Manono on the side of their DRC tour. Or was Manono the tour purpose?