AVZ Discussion 2022

[hedrox]

It sounds to me the biggest issue for AVZ is, that they get compensated for the lost northern part as well.
It's all about the $$$ now to find a settlement. The DRC is in breach of the interim orders, because they talk to Kobold to resolve the issues, instead of talking to AVZ.

 

[Dave Evans]

08/05/2025

Yahoo Finance​

Bezos-Backed Firm Signs Deal to Advance Congo Lithium Mine

Bloomberg) -- 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.

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.

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.


09/05/2025

On May 6, 2025, KoBold and Australia’s AVZ Minerals issued a joint statement titled Developing Manono for Peace and Prosperity, signed by their CEOs, Kurt House and Nigel Ferguson.

The companies announced they had agreed on a commercial framework to expedite development of the Manono deposit.

According to the statement, “this framework provides for AVZ to cede its commercial interests in the Manono lithium deposit to KoBold, at fair value,” enabling KoBold to rapidly mobilize over $1 billion to bring Manono’s lithium to Western markets.

KoBold Seeks Lithium Stake in DRC’s Manono Amid Legal Dispute and Geopolitical Shifts - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

KoBold Metals, a U.S.-based mining company backed by prominent investors including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, is intensifying efforts to secure rights to the

copperbeltkatangamining.com

KoBold Metals and AVZ Agree on Framework for KoBold to Acquire AVZ’s Interests in the Manono Lithium Deposit in DRC​

Thanks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos, and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix A. Tshisekedi Tshilombo, for opening doors for US investment. KoBold Metals and AVZ Minerals Limited agreed on a framework for KoBold to buy AVZ’s interests in the Manono lithium deposit in the DRC. We’ll make America and the DRC safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

News –

www.koboldmetals.com

It would be a bit hard for KoBold to turn around and say their words can’t be trusted

BTW, I wouldn’t trust a word that comes out of cant see straight

 

[rocknrolla]

Reads as if, kobold getting ducks in a row in country, as a competitive advantage, AVZ negotiating with multi to get best offer. Same as has been for months. There’s an article on linked in mentioning they all expect agreement to be made Oct

 

[Shire]

I think you and Jongo need to go back and re-read. We've reported KoBold to ICSID.

No, we haven’t. Kobold isn’t a party in the arbitration. AVZ are reporting the DRC.

 

[Slipperysucker]

No, we haven’t. Kobold isn’t a party in the arbitration. AVZ are reporting the DRC.

There's a rumour going around that KentCStrait is one of Yaseen's crew, so take whatever it says with a grain of salt

 

[Hemicuda]

No, we haven’t. Kobold isn’t a party in the arbitration. AVZ are reporting the DRC.

There's a rumour going around that KentCStrait is one of Yaseen's crew, so take whatever it says with a grain of salt

Does it matter who he is? changes fuckall

 

[Samus]

I'm only skimming over this announcement on my break but it seems to me we've still got CATH to contend with which is one of the ongoing complications.

"Whilst AVZ was not involved in the drafting nor is a party to the GDRC Kobold Agreement, it remains open to constructive dialogue with the parties, to agree a suitable commercial outcome for AVZ shareholders, where its legal rights and existing commercial relationships are respected."

 

[Slipperysucker]

Does it matter who he is? changes fuckall

Yep, you're right it changes fuckall, until the reporting function is reinstated anyway

 

[KentCStrait]

No, we haven’t. Kobold isn’t a party in the arbitration. AVZ are reporting the DRC.

"On 24 June 2025, the AVZ Parties and Dathcom filed a supplemental application seeking a new order against GDRC with respect to their continued non compliance with PO3, and on 18 July 2025, informed the ICSID Tribunal of the GDRC Kobold Agreement which is a breach of PO3."

 

[UtterMoron]

"On 24 June 2025, the AVZ Parties and Dathcom filed a supplemental application seeking a new order against GDRC with respect to their continued non compliance with PO3, and on 18 July 2025, informed the ICSID Tribunal of the GDRC Kobold Agreement which is a breach of PO3."

It's even in the snippet you copied, AVZ is seeking a new order against GDRC in relation to their agreement with Kobold, not GDRC AND Kobolds

 

[eqtrade]

Nigel puts a tough stance on DRC and reports to ICSID every of its violations for the judges to see. Keep up the good records.
I don't think anyone would buy a house knowing it's being under some dispute.

 

[KentCStrait]

It's even in the snippet you copied, AVZ is seeking a new order against GDRC in relation to their agreement with Kobold, not GDRC AND Kobolds

Yeah, they've sort a new order against the DRC at the end of June, and then gone back on the 18th July, to report DRC and KoBold.

I remain eternally hopeful this is all going to work out. But I don't see how people can read that announcement and think all is rosy. KoBold is up to no good, just like the Chinese and DRC, they're just being a lot more sophisticated about it.

 

[Xerof]

It's even in the snippet you copied, AVZ is seeking a new order against GDRC in relation to their agreement with Kobold, not GDRC AND Kobolds

Well said UtterMoron, you are correct and he is an utter moron

 

[Exo324]

Yeah, they've sort a new order against the DRC at the end of June, and then gone back on the 18th July, to report DRC and KoBold.

I remain eternally hopeful this is all going to work out. But I don't see how people can read that announcement and think all is rosy. KoBold is up to no good, just like the Chinese and DRC, they're just being a lot more sophisticated about it.

The DRC/Kobold signing seems more to me like someone getting council approval to build before buying the land. Doesn't have to be a nefarious meaning behind it.

And it's obvious in the Ann that AVZ reported the GDRC Kobold Agreement (here I bolded it for you), to be in breach of the ICSID ruling against THE DRC (and not Kobold).

But of course, you're just being deliberately obtuse.

 

[KentCStrait]

But of course, you're just being deliberately obtuse.

I never said KoBold was a named party in the arbitration. What I said - and what AVZ’s announcement confirms - is that KoBold’s deal with the DRC is the reason AVZ went back to ICSID on July 18. That’s not my “interpretation.” It’s verbatim:

“…and on 18 July 2025, informed the ICSID Tribunal of the GDRC Kobold Agreement which is a breach of PO3.”

That’s not how a friendly, cooperative deal gets handled. That’s a breach notification. And it completely undermines this idea that everything is sunshine and backroom handshakes.

I’ve said before—and I’ll say again—I hope it all works out. I want my money back. I want us all properly compensated. I've been very consistent about that. But let’s not pretend KoBold signing onto disputed ground is business as usual.

And finally—if anyone here wants to call me a moron, accuse me of being a puppet, or throw personal insults instead of engaging with the facts: go for it. It says more about you than me.

 

[Exo324]

I never said KoBold was a named party in the arbitration. What I said - and what AVZ’s announcement confirms - is that KoBold’s deal with the DRC is the reason AVZ went back to ICSID on July 18. That’s not my “interpretation.” It’s verbatim:

“…and on 18 July 2025, informed the ICSID Tribunal of the GDRC Kobold Agreement which is a breach of PO3.”

That’s not how a friendly, cooperative deal gets handled. That’s a breach notification. And it completely undermines this idea that everything is sunshine and backroom handshakes.

I’ve said before—and I’ll say again—I hope it all works out. I want my money back. I want us all properly compensated. I've been very consistent about that. But let’s not pretend KoBold signing onto disputed ground is business as usual.

And finally—if anyone here wants to call me a moron, accuse me of being a puppet, or throw personal insults instead of engaging with the facts: go for it. It says more about you than me.

Ok let me spell it out for you

AVZ's leverage in this situation is ICSID and holding the DRC accountable to their rulings, 'going full steam ahead'. They postponed the June hearing out of goodwill - and that got us nothing and should be the last time we make concessions. AVZ should very much be applying as much pressure on DRC as possible, using the ICSID stick.

Dropping this at the 11th hour just because we're in talks with KoBold would be daft. Whether the talks between AVZ and the suitor (kobold or otherwise) is going well or not, AVZ should 100% be applying as much pressure and upholding the legitimacy of ICSID and their rights to the Manono until the ink has dried and the money is in our account.

Management is doing all the right things here and playing their part. IMO this does not reveal whatsoever how the negotiations are going. Even if we come out with a deal with KoBold signed tomorrow, this was the right move to make.

 

[KentCStrait]

Ok let me spell it out for you

AVZ's leverage in this situation is ICSID and holding the DRC accountable to their rulings, 'going full steam ahead'. They postponed the June hearing out of goodwill - and that got us nothing and should be the last time we make concessions. AVZ should very much be applying as much pressure on DRC as possible, using the ICSID stick.

Dropping this at the 11th hour just because we're in talks with KoBold would be daft. Whether the talks between AVZ and the suitor (kobold or otherwise) is going well or not, AVZ should 100% be applying as much pressure and upholding the legitimacy of ICSID and their rights to the Manono until the ink has dried and the money is in our account.

Management is doing all the right things here and playing their part. IMO this does not reveal whatsoever how the negotiations are going. Even if we come out with a deal with KoBold signed tomorrow, this was the right move to make.

I agree with most of this.

AVZ’s leverage is ICSID, and reporting the GDRC–KoBold agreement as a breach was 100% the right move. Postponing the June hearing got us nowhere—so yes, no more goodwill gestures.

Where we might differ is tone, not substance. I’m not saying AVZ should walk away or blow things up. What I am saying is: signing a public agreement to develop Manono—on land AVZ is fighting to defend—without involving AVZ, and in breach of ICSID orders, is not a neutral act. It’s calculated.

So yes—AVZ should absolutely keep the pressure on. But we also shouldn’t pretend KoBold’s move was harmless or friendly. It was strategic—and possibly hostile. I certainly lean towards hostile. That doesn’t mean we won’t get a deal, but we need to keep our eyes open until the money lands.

 

[M.Bison]

I never said KoBold was a named party in the arbitration. What I said - and what AVZ’s announcement confirms - is that KoBold’s deal with the DRC is the reason AVZ went back to ICSID on July 18. That’s not my “interpretation.” It’s verbatim:

“…and on 18 July 2025, informed the ICSID Tribunal of the GDRC Kobold Agreement which is a breach of PO3.”

That’s not how a friendly, cooperative deal gets handled. That’s a breach notification. And it completely undermines this idea that everything is sunshine and backroom handshakes.

I’ve said before—and I’ll say again—I hope it all works out. I want my money back. I want us all properly compensated. I've been very consistent about that. But let’s not pretend KoBold signing onto disputed ground is business as usual.

And finally—if anyone here wants to call me a moron, accuse me of being a puppet, or throw personal insults instead of engaging with the facts: go for it. It says more about you than me.

"I think you and Jongo need to go back and re-read. We've reported KoBold to ICSID"

 

[Strongman]

The DRC/Kobold signing seems more to me like someone getting council approval to build before buying the land. Doesn't have to be a nefarious meaning behind it.

And it's obvious in the Ann that AVZ reported the GDRC Kobold Agreement (here I bolded it for you), to be in breach of the ICSID ruling against THE DRC (and not Kobold).

But of course, you're just being deliberately obtuse.

Perfectly stated Exo. At this time AVZ has two things. First and foremost is the ICC and ICSID cases. If Nigel and DLA Piper had not notified ICSID of the DRC/ Kobold agreement then we would all have to be deeply worried. Ticking every box in our litigation case which s exactly what they need to do. To try and read more in to this and say Kobold are tryin to rat fuck us is just bullshit
Secondly we have the sale agreement framework with Kobold and iam 100 % sure that as part of the process Kobold needs to deal with the DRC ( including snakeman Kibeya) . Once again we would all need to be deeply worried if this step had not been taken
As far as i can see everything is coming together at i believe a very rapid pace considering the geopolitical situation we are immersed in

 

[Exo324]

What I am saying is: signing a public agreement to develop Manono—on land AVZ is fighting to defend—without involving AVZ, and in breach of ICSID orders, is not a neutral act. It’s calculated.

The DRC has maintained the same stance throughout this fiasco and is not acknowledging AVZ at all - they’ve not strayed from this. And it’s clear to see they have to continue this charade in public, lest acknowledging our legitimacy and their rampant corruption.

Win win for everyone is AVZ being paid off and DRC having their corruption swept under the rug. This has been obvious for some time now. It is the suitor/kobolds job to navigate between these 2 entities so everyone ends up a winner - us with our $$ back and DRC with plausible deniability.

Given the DRC publicly refuses to even utter AVZs name, there’s no chance they will sit down and hash this out between all 3 parties.

I don’t see Kobold as all innocent either - they’re trying to get the best deal for themselves and posture as our only saving grace by pre-emptively signing this agreement - blind Freddy can see that. Everyone operates in their best interest and I don’t believe they will pay a cent over what they feel they need to.

Time will tell if they offer up a price that management agree to or another US entity muscles their way in.