AVZ Discussion 2022

[Frank]

Lobito Corridor:
The United States injects more than USD 6 billion into this strategic project

The United States of America is strengthening its support for the development of strategic infrastructure in Africa.

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced, via its official account on the X network, that it had mobilized more than USD 6 billion specifically dedicated to financing the Lobito Corridor.

This mega-project, which aims to connect the Atlantic Ocean (Port of Lobito, Angola) to the mining areas of the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Zambia, is considered a key route to facilitate regional exports and boost intra-African trade.

It is also part of the Global Infrastructure Initiative launched by the United States and its G7 partners.

"These funds, crucial for this infrastructure project, are specifically dedicated to it," the State Department publication states, adding that Washington continues to work with its regional and international partners to support the corridor's implementation.

This new financial commitment comes at a time of intensifying geostrategic challenges surrounding critical resources, particularly copper and cobalt.

The DRC, the world's leading cobalt producer, is expected to benefit directly from this corridor, improving its logistical capabilities and boosting its exports.

This American support is seen as a strong signal to Central and Southern African countries, as rivalries for influence over transportation infrastructure on the continent intensify.

Soon to be, potentially, the world's leading Cobalt & Lithium producer

 

[cruiser51]

KIKI KIENGE
https://x.com/KiengeKki
@KiengeKki

#Mines_RDC_USA #CORRUPTION ! Pour progresser dans les pourparlers, les États-Unis appellent à des réformes en Rd Congo. Le développement et les investissements en République démocratique du Congo sont gravement affectés par la corruption et le détournement de fonds publics, qui représentent un point faible majeur pour le développement du pays. Il est impossible pour un investisseur étranger sérieux d'investir au pays de Lumumba, étant donné que plus de la moitié de ses capitaux ira à des pots-de-vin et commissions versés aux responsables congolais. Quel avantage cela représenterait-il pour les investisseurs ? D'après un investisseur américain ayant des liens étroits avec de hauts fonctionnaires du Département d'État et du Pentagone, les États-Unis ne concluront pas de pacte avec Kinshasa sans l'implémentation de réformes substantielles dans les domaines liés à l'accord sur les minerais de la RDC en contrepartie de la sécurité et des relations diplomatiques avec les USA. Dans les pourparlers concernant le lithium, qui impliquent notamment les entreprises américaines
@KoBold_Metals
et les australiens d' $AVZ ainsi que le gouvernement congolais, des individus et institutions mentionnés dans des affaires de corruption sont indésirables lors de ces discussions. Il semblerait que les Etats-Unis aient demandé au gouvernement de Kinshasa de mettre en place des réformes au sein d'entreprises d'État telles que la #COMINIERE et la #Gécamines, ainsi que dans des ministères tels que celui des Mines et du Portefeuille, afin d'accorder une certaine crédibilité aux investisseurs américains. Selon une autre source, on apprend qu'une sorte d'administration publique parallèle en RDC serait examinée pour collaborer avec les entreprises américaines si un accord entre les deux nations venait à être établi afin de prévenir la corruption endémique en Rd Congo. Kiki #Kienge
@MinMinesRDC
@kizpaka
@SuminwaJudith
@Presidence_RDC
@ministereportef

Translated from French by google:
#Mines_RDC_USA #CORRUPTION ! To make progress in the talks, the United States is calling for reforms in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Development and investment in the Democratic Republic of Congo are seriously affected by corruption and embezzlement of public funds, which represent a major weakness for the country's development. It is impossible for a serious foreign investor to invest in Lumumba's country, given that more than half of their capital will go to bribes and commissions paid to Congolese officials. What benefit would this represent for investors? According to a US investor with close ties to senior officials at the State Department and the Pentagon, the United States will not enter into a pact with Kinshasa without implementing substantial reforms in areas related to the DRC minerals agreement in exchange for security and diplomatic relations with the US. In the lithium talks, which involve US companies
@KoBold_Metals
and Australians $AVZ as well as the Congolese government, individuals and institutions implicated in corruption cases are unwelcome participants in these discussions. It appears that the United States has asked the Kinshasa government to implement reforms in state-owned enterprises such as #COMINIERE and #Gécamines , as well as in ministries such as Mines and Portfolio, in order to give some credibility to American investors. According to another source, it is learned that a sort of parallel public administration in the DRC would be considered to collaborate with American companies if an agreement between the two nations were to be established in order to prevent endemic corruption in the DRC. Kiki #Kienge
@MinMinesRDC
@kizpaka
@SuminwaJudith
@Presidence_RDC
@ministereportef

 

[Xerof]

individuals and institutions implicated in corruption cases are unwelcome participants in these discussions. It appears that the United States has asked the Kinshasa government to implement reforms in state-owned enterprises such as #COMINIERE and #Gécamines , as well as in ministries such as Mines and Portfolio, in order to give some credibility to American investors. According to another source, it is learned that a sort of parallel public administration in the DRC would be considered to collaborate with American companies if an agreement between the two nations were to be established in order to prevent endemic corruption in the DRC

Led by Jules babe? Who the fuck else could anyone trust?

 

[LOCKY82]

This is bizarre! really dont get it!!

https://x.com/emil_jens/status/1921397434430705982?t=yna_DdkrRPTZ80F2kreOIQ&s=19

 

[JNRB]

This is bizarre! really dont get it!!

https://x.com/emil_jens/status/1921397434430705982?t=yna_DdkrRPTZ80F2kreOIQ&s=19

Jens seems to be a bit of a fkwit lately.

1. The deal is happening only because country risk is being removed as an element. Once the US sign on for this, nothing in the world is going to stop them from taking it. So they are not getting a discount for country risk, they are paying a premium for certainty.

2. Everyone who has invested in lithium has done so because of the price growth potential due to a once in a century energy system transformation, so no one is gonna accept a price based on short term price lulls. Kobold also know this too, but hey you know what fine if that's their perspective then we do a deal based on current lithium prices but AVZ retains 80% earning on every tonnes of lithium sold above that price.

Step up or shut up Jens.

 

[Samus]

This is bizarre! really dont get it!!

https://x.com/emil_jens/status/1921397434430705982?t=yna_DdkrRPTZ80F2kreOIQ&s=19

The guy talks a bunch of barely literate fucking crap.

 

[Jazz]

This is bizarre! really dont get it!!

https://x.com/emil_jens/status/1921397434430705982?t=yna_DdkrRPTZ80F2kreOIQ&s=19

The word “compensation” is being thrown around a lot. In my opinion it can have a few similar, but different meanings.

Many seem to take it as monetary restitution for the last few years of share holders being stuffed around and our opportunity loss. I don’t believe this is what is meant in this case. Regardless of the dictionary definition.

I expect we will be compensated for the sale of the asset, that’s it, and/or royalties etc. The loss we have all incurred to date is something we will have to live with, or take it out on the local Oz based pricks who contributed to our situation, whatever helps you sleep at night.

 

[Frank]

individuals and institutions implicated in corruption cases are unwelcome participants in these discussions. It appears that the United States has asked the Kinshasa government to implement reforms in state-owned enterprises such as #COMINIERE and #Gécamines , as well as in ministries such as Mines and Portfolio, in order to give some credibility to American investors. According to another source, it is learned that a sort of parallel public administration in the DRC would be considered to collaborate with American companies if an agreement between the two nations were to be established in order to prevent endemic corruption in the DRC

Led by Jules babe? Who the fuck else could anyone trust?

CREFDL recommends that the new head of the IGF audit Jules Alingete's management [Interview]

While Jules Alingete, now former Inspector General of Finance and head of department, prepares to hand over the reins with his successor, Christophe Bitasimwa, appointed by presidential decree on the evening of Wednesday, May 7, the human rights organization CREFDL (Center for Research in Public Finance and Local Development) recommends a full audit of the past management of the IGF (Inspection Générale des Finances) and a frank assessment of the situation.

In an exclusive interview with the editorial staff of Opinion-Info, Valery Madianga, head of CREFDL, describes a deviation from the desired reforms through the violation of the law creating the IGF and the politicization of this oversight structure based at the Presidency of the Republic.

Among the first actions to be taken by the new team at the head of the IGF, the CREFDL recommends the elimination of financial patrols in the State's public enterprises transformed into joint management.

https://x.com/irishlocky/status/1921395486214209630

 

[Frank]

Jens seems to be a bit of a fkwit lately.

1. The deal is happening only because country risk is being removed as an element. Once the US sign on for this, nothing in the world is going to stop them from taking it. So they are not getting a discount for country risk, they are paying a premium for certainty.

2. Everyone who has invested in lithium has done so because of the price growth potential due to a once in a century energy system transformation, so no one is gonna accept a price based on short term price lulls. Kobold also know this too, but hey you know what fine if that's their perspective then we do a deal based on current lithium prices but AVZ retains 80% earning on every tonnes of lithium sold above that price.

Step up or shut up Jens.

 

[Chase]

This is bizarre! really dont get it!!

https://x.com/emil_jens/status/1921397434430705982?t=yna_DdkrRPTZ80F2kreOIQ&s=19

Has Jens been playing golf with Nige again? attempting to soften SHs with the sale price..

 

[Pokok]

If the DRC wants to show the USA that it is serious about reform then Jail all found to have taken bribes , and kick out their thieving masters in the North .

 

[Frank]

Thank you Frank
CEO Kurt certainly knows the potential of Manono and is excited to begin work once the ink drys.
Will he match that excitement with fair value to considering the wealth of its major shareholders.
IMO to put a hold on legal proceeding appears very positive outcome.

*Any chance you caught this one by the Tail Whale

Bezos-Backed Firm Signs Deal to Advance Congo Lithium Mine​

KoBold Metals Co. has reached a preliminary agreement to move forward with the development of one of the world’s biggest hard rock lithium deposits in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The firm, backed by billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, reached a framework agreement with Australia’s AVZ Minerals Ltd. to buy the latter’s stake in project on the Manono deposit, according to a letter signed by KoBold Chief Executive Officer Kurt House and his AVZ counterpart Nigel Ferguson.

“The agreement will enable KoBold to rapidly deploy more than $1 billion to bring the Manono lithium to Western markets,” said the companies, which are working on the arrangement with the US and Congolese governments.

The announcement comes after Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi met with Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, to discuss potential American investment and security assistance in Congo’s fight against a Rwanda-backed rebel group.

Tshisekedi is hoping US interest in Congo’s minerals will encourage the Trump administration to back his government, which is teetering amid the rebel advance in the east.

Besides lithium, the central African nation is the world’s second-largest source of copper and biggest producer of the electric-vehicle battery metal cobalt.

Any final deal for the lithium around the southeastern town of Manono will require the resolution of multiple arbitration cases surrounding the deposits.

AVZ was close to breaking ground on mine construction when Congo canceled its rights in 2023 and split the permit, handing part to China’s Zijin Mining Group Co.

AVZ is willing to suspend the arbitration proceedings to “facilitate discussions” between the parties, the two CEOs said in the letter.

Congo will need to return the license containing the southern section of the Manono project to KoBold for the development to proceed.

KoBold has proposed a plan that would see AVZ receive compensation, while Zijin continues developing a mine in the northern portion of the Manono deposit, according to another letter addressed to Tshisekedi’s office in January and seen by Bloomberg.

Rio Tinto Group has also held talks with Congo and KoBold about investing in the project.

Spokespeople for Congo’s presidency and mines ministry didn’t immediately respond to questions seeking comment on the agreement between AVZ and KoBold.

AVZ said in 2020 it intended to build a mine at Manono capable of producing about 700,000 tons of lithium concentrate a year for two decades. That would the biggest operation of its kind outside Australia.

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.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-07/bezos-backed-firm-signs-deal-to-advance-congo-lithium-mine

*To remind there still is a

 

[Spikerama]

Jens seems to be a bit of a fkwit lately.

Lately? Lately?!! Give me a fucken break, lately.

 

[wombat74]

Both Jens and Deboss have a direct line to the Bat Phone. Could Jens have a heads up on the type of numbers being discussed and trying to temper punters expectations?

 

[Spikerama]

Both Jens and Deboss have a direct line to the Bat Phone. Could Jens have a heads up on the type of numbers being discussed and trying to temper punters expectations?

If he does and he and Deboss all do very nicely out of this while we end up with chump change then there might be bit of a need to dig a bit deeper and go through some old communications because as far as I remember I don't recall either of them have a seat on the Board.

So why are they privileged with such information before other shareholders?

 

[hedrox]

In 2020 AVZ’s targeted annual production was 700,000 tonnes of SC6 (lithium / spodumene concentrate) which equates to over 100,000 tonnes of LCE (lithium carbonate equivalent) annually. That’s at least 33% more than what Arcadium is producing from its mines

That’s back when AVZ was targeting mining 4.5Mt of ore annually, then they looked at expanding to 10Mt annually so you can take that 100,000 tonnes of LCE annually and more than double it to over 200,000 tonnes of LCE annually

I guess Nigel must be itching to release the BFS Bankable Feasibility Study, which we didn't see yet.I remember that Nigel mentioned before our suspension that the BFS is nearly complete and will be released after the mining license is granted. The latest DFS was from April 2020 and was based on....

With all the drilling after the 2020 DFS a 10 Mt / per year operation is definitely on the cards. I would imagine the BFS would be a nice carrot to dangle in front of Kobold when it comes to negotiations......otherwise

 

[Carlos Danger]

Both Jens and Deboss have a direct line to the Bat Phone. Could Jens have a heads up on the type of numbers being discussed and trying to temper punters expectations?

No more to pay

 

[Goldenboy]

Has Jens been playing golf with Nige again? attempting to soften SHs with the sale price..

If so he probably took a ball to the head ….. he has gone soft !!! $1

 

[Goldenboy]

Both Jens and Deboss have a direct line to the Bat Phone. Could Jens have a heads up on the type of numbers being discussed and trying to temper punters expectations?

Jens is not on a direct line anymore if you believe what is whispered in the wind. Trust issues ….??

 

[Samus]

Sounds to me like we'd be better to proceed with arbitration instead of entertaining those sort of figures.
Get awarded our 10b+ compo and when the Americans start investing the hundreds of billions they're talking about, have the world bank seize the funds on our behalf.
They'd be better to pay fairly now.