AVZ Discussion 2022

[Xerof]

Hi @Winenut tried to Privat msg u, but no response yet...could u please add me to the chatroom..cheers mate

You’re in already

 

[Thaz]

You’re in already

Any chance for me to be added as well?

 

[Wingy]

Any chance for me to be added as well?

Could I please be added also?
Just a lurker, not a contributer and definitely not a Troll

 

[JAG]

Could I please be added also?
Just a lurker, not a contributer and definitely not a Troll

 

[FatCatz]

Here's a plain Engrish version of Brad Thompson's article published in the Australian:

The Australian
Mining Energy

AVZ boss Nigel Ferguson breaks silence as key players in Congo lithium project gather

AVZ Minerals managing director Nigel Ferguson has broken his silence as key players in the battle for a giant lithium project – including a Chinese billionaire and a US company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos – gather in Perth.

In his first interview since AVZ spiralled from an ASX-listed company valued at $4.6bn to a Ferguson said he remained hell-bent on securing the best deal for shareholders in any sale of the Manono lithium project in the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, regardless of the powerful geopolitical forces in play.

California-headquartered KoBold Metals is considered the frontrunner to acquire Manono from AVZ, as part of a deal which will have consequences for the Trump administration and Chinese Communist Party’s critical minerals ambitions in Africa.

Mr Ferguson indicated KoBold needed to step up its offer to get a deal done. Other US entities have shown an interest, and AVZ has been assured of support from its heavyweight Chinese backers in any continuation of a legal battle with the DRC over rights to Manono.

Senior figures from KoBold are in Perth at the same time as Chinese billionaire Pei Zhenhua, a major shareholder in Hong Kong-listed battery chemicals giant CATL, and a substantial player in the supply of lithium hydroxide and carbonate in his own right.

Mr Pei, with a fortune valued at almost $15bn by Forbes, has had talks with Mr Ferguson in recent days and is a regular visitor to WA where he has other investments in the battery supply chain. He owns 60 per cent of Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies, the Chinese company that is funding AVZ’s legal costs. CATL owns the other 40 per cent.

AVZ’s other big Chinese shareholders include Huayou, a critical minerals player that has invested heavily in cobalt and in the growth of Indonesian nickel production that contributed to the closure of nickel mines in Australia.

KoBold sent one of its contingent in Perth to Canberra for meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Treasury officials on Thursday. The company is understood to have some exploration interests in WA in addition to its designs on Manono.

Attention has focused on the small Gates and Bezos shareholdings in KoBold, but another billionaire on the register – Marc Andreessen – is seen as having the most influence on the White House when it comes to the future of Manono.

Mr Andreessen is a backer of US Vice President JD Vance and a noted China hawk. It is understood the US and the DRC have pencilled in the signing of a critical mineral pact for around August 22 but any breakdown in talks between KoBold and AVZ on a Manono deal threatens to derail those plans.

Mr Ferguson said Manono was “clearly the subject of great power competition”.

“The framework agreement with Kobold Metals, with the support of the US State Department, allows for a commercial deal to be struck with an American corporate entity,” he said.

“However, if an offer comes from another quarter we would be obliged to review this in detail and with the best interest of our shareholders in mind.

“A commercially acceptable offer that reflects the globally significant value of the Manono project has not been presented as yet and negotiations are still being progressed. Kobold is well aware of what we consider the project value to be.”

Mr Ferguson refused to speculate on what he considered a fair price.

“AVZ remains committed to completing an agreement to sell the assets to an American company as agreed with the US State Department but only on commercially acceptable terms,” he said.

“Time is of the essence with the US and DRC government apparently ready to execute an agreement for peace in the region and a critical minerals deal on or around August 22 at the White House.

“The Manono project is clearly the subject of great power competition. We recognise this. We will leave the geopolitics to others. Our responsibility is to our shareholders. We want to strike a commercial deal in their interests.”

The other big player in the fight for Manono is Chinese mining heavyweight Zijin, which gained a sizeable footprint in the WA gold sector through its acquisition of Northern Gold Fields.

Zijin – which set up an office in the same West Perth building as AVZ amid the Manono dispute – has charged ahead with developing the northern section of the deposit in the face of AVZ’s legal challenge in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Manono boasts an 842 million tonne resource at 1.61 per cent lithium oxide and is split into two geographically distinct northern and southern deposits. The southern part alone, sometimes referred to as Roche Dure, holds a 669 million-tonne resource.

AVZ maintains the DRC acted illegally by taking over its permit over the whole of Manono and then awarding the northern portion to Chinese mining company Zijin in September 2023.

A DRC-owned mining company and Zijin have so far ignored or challenged the international court’s orders, including a €39m ($69m) penalty payable to AVZ that is accruing at a daily rate of €50,000 plus interest.

The US State Department was supportive of the framework agreement struck deal between AVZ and KoBold in May against a backdrop of the DRC seeking US protection from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that had caused havoc and overrun parts of the resources-rich country.

However, they have not been able to agree on a price and doubts remain about whether KoBold, a mining and artificial intelligence start-up, could develop Manono without an experienced partner.

The project has also caught the eye of Rio Tinto, which has so far refused to comment on any interest.

One source suggested AVZ and KoBold were miles apart on price with AVZ talking billions of dollars and not giving up on reparations from Zijin over the northern part of Manono.

Mr Ferguson said the strengthening relationship between the US and the DRC had opened a window for AVZ to “achieve a positive outcome for shareholders”.

“We appreciate it is also an opportunity for the US government to address the lithium supply chain imbalance. We have spent a lot of time in the US this year, and we have appreciated the US government support,” he said

“Nonetheless, we will ultimately need to fulfil our legal responsibility to our shareholders and accept the best offer tabled.

“If KoBold is not able to present a commercially acceptable proposal, the project will in the short term continue to be locked up in arbitration. This will be to the detriment of the Congo, the people of Manono, and US critical minerals supply chains.”

AVZ had some 21,000 shareholders when its market valuation peaked at $4.6bn. The row with authorities in the DRC over what was touted as the world’s biggest lithium deposit led to the suspension of its share in May 2022 and delisting from the ASX in 2024.

Fucking love the last quote by Nigel "f KoBold is not able to present a commercially acceptable proposal, the project will in the short term continue to be locked up in arbitration". This is the sort of stuff that eases my mind, more so than those fanciful and seemingly optimistic "Kobold have bought out a significant stake of AVZ" which seems to be all media fluff. Though, I'd love the day when Nige comes out and makes this announcement. We will know he's done the right thing.

Deserves an OAM but this gutless dog of a Government wouldn't even sit with him at the table to hear him out.

 

[FatCatz]

Here's a plain Engrish version of Brad Thompson's article published in the Australian:

The Australian
Mining Energy

AVZ boss Nigel Ferguson breaks silence as key players in Congo lithium project gather

AVZ Minerals managing director Nigel Ferguson has broken his silence as key players in the battle for a giant lithium project – including a Chinese billionaire and a US company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos – gather in Perth.

In his first interview since AVZ spiralled from an ASX-listed company valued at $4.6bn to a Ferguson said he remained hell-bent on securing the best deal for shareholders in any sale of the Manono lithium project in the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, regardless of the powerful geopolitical forces in play.

California-headquartered KoBold Metals is considered the frontrunner to acquire Manono from AVZ, as part of a deal which will have consequences for the Trump administration and Chinese Communist Party’s critical minerals ambitions in Africa.

Mr Ferguson indicated KoBold needed to step up its offer to get a deal done. Other US entities have shown an interest, and AVZ has been assured of support from its heavyweight Chinese backers in any continuation of a legal battle with the DRC over rights to Manono.

Senior figures from KoBold are in Perth at the same time as Chinese billionaire Pei Zhenhua, a major shareholder in Hong Kong-listed battery chemicals giant CATL, and a substantial player in the supply of lithium hydroxide and carbonate in his own right.

Mr Pei, with a fortune valued at almost $15bn by Forbes, has had talks with Mr Ferguson in recent days and is a regular visitor to WA where he has other investments in the battery supply chain. He owns 60 per cent of Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies, the Chinese company that is funding AVZ’s legal costs. CATL owns the other 40 per cent.

AVZ’s other big Chinese shareholders include Huayou, a critical minerals player that has invested heavily in cobalt and in the growth of Indonesian nickel production that contributed to the closure of nickel mines in Australia.

KoBold sent one of its contingent in Perth to Canberra for meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Treasury officials on Thursday. The company is understood to have some exploration interests in WA in addition to its designs on Manono.

Attention has focused on the small Gates and Bezos shareholdings in KoBold, but another billionaire on the register – Marc Andreessen – is seen as having the most influence on the White House when it comes to the future of Manono.

Mr Andreessen is a backer of US Vice President JD Vance and a noted China hawk. It is understood the US and the DRC have pencilled in the signing of a critical mineral pact for around August 22 but any breakdown in talks between KoBold and AVZ on a Manono deal threatens to derail those plans.

Mr Ferguson said Manono was “clearly the subject of great power competition”.

“The framework agreement with Kobold Metals, with the support of the US State Department, allows for a commercial deal to be struck with an American corporate entity,” he said.

“However, if an offer comes from another quarter we would be obliged to review this in detail and with the best interest of our shareholders in mind.

“A commercially acceptable offer that reflects the globally significant value of the Manono project has not been presented as yet and negotiations are still being progressed. Kobold is well aware of what we consider the project value to be.”

Mr Ferguson refused to speculate on what he considered a fair price.

“AVZ remains committed to completing an agreement to sell the assets to an American company as agreed with the US State Department but only on commercially acceptable terms,” he said.

“Time is of the essence with the US and DRC government apparently ready to execute an agreement for peace in the region and a critical minerals deal on or around August 22 at the White House.

“The Manono project is clearly the subject of great power competition. We recognise this. We will leave the geopolitics to others. Our responsibility is to our shareholders. We want to strike a commercial deal in their interests.”

The other big player in the fight for Manono is Chinese mining heavyweight Zijin, which gained a sizeable footprint in the WA gold sector through its acquisition of Northern Gold Fields.

Zijin – which set up an office in the same West Perth building as AVZ amid the Manono dispute – has charged ahead with developing the northern section of the deposit in the face of AVZ’s legal challenge in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Manono boasts an 842 million tonne resource at 1.61 per cent lithium oxide and is split into two geographically distinct northern and southern deposits. The southern part alone, sometimes referred to as Roche Dure, holds a 669 million-tonne resource.

AVZ maintains the DRC acted illegally by taking over its permit over the whole of Manono and then awarding the northern portion to Chinese mining company Zijin in September 2023.

A DRC-owned mining company and Zijin have so far ignored or challenged the international court’s orders, including a €39m ($69m) penalty payable to AVZ that is accruing at a daily rate of €50,000 plus interest.

The US State Department was supportive of the framework agreement struck deal between AVZ and KoBold in May against a backdrop of the DRC seeking US protection from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that had caused havoc and overrun parts of the resources-rich country.

However, they have not been able to agree on a price and doubts remain about whether KoBold, a mining and artificial intelligence start-up, could develop Manono without an experienced partner.

The project has also caught the eye of Rio Tinto, which has so far refused to comment on any interest.

One source suggested AVZ and KoBold were miles apart on price with AVZ talking billions of dollars and not giving up on reparations from Zijin over the northern part of Manono.

Mr Ferguson said the strengthening relationship between the US and the DRC had opened a window for AVZ to “achieve a positive outcome for shareholders”.

“We appreciate it is also an opportunity for the US government to address the lithium supply chain imbalance. We have spent a lot of time in the US this year, and we have appreciated the US government support,” he said

“Nonetheless, we will ultimately need to fulfil our legal responsibility to our shareholders and accept the best offer tabled.

“If KoBold is not able to present a commercially acceptable proposal, the project will in the short term continue to be locked up in arbitration. This will be to the detriment of the Congo, the people of Manono, and US critical minerals supply chains.”

AVZ had some 21,000 shareholders when its market valuation peaked at $4.6bn. The row with authorities in the DRC over what was touted as the world’s biggest lithium deposit led to the suspension of its share in May 2022 and delisting from the ASX in 2024.

Apologies another post, but this is just super exciting for me!

Yes I know this has probably been discussed ad nauseum in the 'secret' but not so secret chat. But I love the following, I made a well received post on the Crapper a few days back almost exactly verbatim.

“The Manono project is clearly the subject of great power competition. We recognise this. We will leave the geopolitics to others. Our responsibility is to our shareholders. We want to strike a commercial deal in their interests.”

And the other quote I will put up that raises a few questions on my end.

“Nonetheless, we will ultimately need to fulfil our legal responsibility to our shareholders and accept the best offer tabled."

Very interesting wording here. My take is that there has been a more lucrative offer for Manono than what KoBold is willing to bring forward. Is that anyone else's take?

I really want to buy Nige a beer. He just comes across as the sort of guy you'd love to be in a trench with.

 

[BRICK]

I dont know who you are talking TOO..!
But you should direct your CONCERNS to NIGEL
If you are a AVZ S H, he is spending your money...imo

Seriously, you’re a fucking clown.

 

[bloke383]

Here's a plain Engrish version of Brad Thompson's article published in the Australian:

The Australian
Mining Energy

AVZ boss Nigel Ferguson breaks silence as key players in Congo lithium project gather

AVZ Minerals managing director Nigel Ferguson has broken his silence as key players in the battle for a giant lithium project – including a Chinese billionaire and a US company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos – gather in Perth.

In his first interview since AVZ spiralled from an ASX-listed company valued at $4.6bn to a Ferguson said he remained hell-bent on securing the best deal for shareholders in any sale of the Manono lithium project in the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, regardless of the powerful geopolitical forces in play.

California-headquartered KoBold Metals is considered the frontrunner to acquire Manono from AVZ, as part of a deal which will have consequences for the Trump administration and Chinese Communist Party’s critical minerals ambitions in Africa.

Mr Ferguson indicated KoBold needed to step up its offer to get a deal done. Other US entities have shown an interest, and AVZ has been assured of support from its heavyweight Chinese backers in any continuation of a legal battle with the DRC over rights to Manono.

Senior figures from KoBold are in Perth at the same time as Chinese billionaire Pei Zhenhua, a major shareholder in Hong Kong-listed battery chemicals giant CATL, and a substantial player in the supply of lithium hydroxide and carbonate in his own right.

Mr Pei, with a fortune valued at almost $15bn by Forbes, has had talks with Mr Ferguson in recent days and is a regular visitor to WA where he has other investments in the battery supply chain. He owns 60 per cent of Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies, the Chinese company that is funding AVZ’s legal costs. CATL owns the other 40 per cent.

AVZ’s other big Chinese shareholders include Huayou, a critical minerals player that has invested heavily in cobalt and in the growth of Indonesian nickel production that contributed to the closure of nickel mines in Australia.

KoBold sent one of its contingent in Perth to Canberra for meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Treasury officials on Thursday. The company is understood to have some exploration interests in WA in addition to its designs on Manono.

Attention has focused on the small Gates and Bezos shareholdings in KoBold, but another billionaire on the register – Marc Andreessen – is seen as having the most influence on the White House when it comes to the future of Manono.

Mr Andreessen is a backer of US Vice President JD Vance and a noted China hawk. It is understood the US and the DRC have pencilled in the signing of a critical mineral pact for around August 22 but any breakdown in talks between KoBold and AVZ on a Manono deal threatens to derail those plans.

Mr Ferguson said Manono was “clearly the subject of great power competition”.

“The framework agreement with Kobold Metals, with the support of the US State Department, allows for a commercial deal to be struck with an American corporate entity,” he said.

“However, if an offer comes from another quarter we would be obliged to review this in detail and with the best interest of our shareholders in mind.

“A commercially acceptable offer that reflects the globally significant value of the Manono project has not been presented as yet and negotiations are still being progressed. Kobold is well aware of what we consider the project value to be.”

Mr Ferguson refused to speculate on what he considered a fair price.

“AVZ remains committed to completing an agreement to sell the assets to an American company as agreed with the US State Department but only on commercially acceptable terms,” he said.

“Time is of the essence with the US and DRC government apparently ready to execute an agreement for peace in the region and a critical minerals deal on or around August 22 at the White House.

“The Manono project is clearly the subject of great power competition. We recognise this. We will leave the geopolitics to others. Our responsibility is to our shareholders. We want to strike a commercial deal in their interests.”

The other big player in the fight for Manono is Chinese mining heavyweight Zijin, which gained a sizeable footprint in the WA gold sector through its acquisition of Northern Gold Fields.

Zijin – which set up an office in the same West Perth building as AVZ amid the Manono dispute – has charged ahead with developing the northern section of the deposit in the face of AVZ’s legal challenge in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Manono boasts an 842 million tonne resource at 1.61 per cent lithium oxide and is split into two geographically distinct northern and southern deposits. The southern part alone, sometimes referred to as Roche Dure, holds a 669 million-tonne resource.

AVZ maintains the DRC acted illegally by taking over its permit over the whole of Manono and then awarding the northern portion to Chinese mining company Zijin in September 2023.

A DRC-owned mining company and Zijin have so far ignored or challenged the international court’s orders, including a €39m ($69m) penalty payable to AVZ that is accruing at a daily rate of €50,000 plus interest.

The US State Department was supportive of the framework agreement struck deal between AVZ and KoBold in May against a backdrop of the DRC seeking US protection from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that had caused havoc and overrun parts of the resources-rich country.

However, they have not been able to agree on a price and doubts remain about whether KoBold, a mining and artificial intelligence start-up, could develop Manono without an experienced partner.

The project has also caught the eye of Rio Tinto, which has so far refused to comment on any interest.

One source suggested AVZ and KoBold were miles apart on price with AVZ talking billions of dollars and not giving up on reparations from Zijin over the northern part of Manono.

Mr Ferguson said the strengthening relationship between the US and the DRC had opened a window for AVZ to “achieve a positive outcome for shareholders”.

“We appreciate it is also an opportunity for the US government to address the lithium supply chain imbalance. We have spent a lot of time in the US this year, and we have appreciated the US government support,” he said

“Nonetheless, we will ultimately need to fulfil our legal responsibility to our shareholders and accept the best offer tabled.

“If KoBold is not able to present a commercially acceptable proposal, the project will in the short term continue to be locked up in arbitration. This will be to the detriment of the Congo, the people of Manono, and US critical minerals supply chains.”

AVZ had some 21,000 shareholders when its market valuation peaked at $4.6bn. The row with authorities in the DRC over what was touted as the world’s biggest lithium deposit led to the suspension of its share in May 2022 and delisting from the ASX in 2024.

"One source suggested AVZ and KoBold were miles apart on price with AVZ talking billions of dollars and not giving up on reparations from Zijin over the northern part of Manono."

Bezos net worth is $240 billion . He's backing an EV startup company to rival (?) Tesla . He alone could pay us what we are worth , & recoup it all in no time . His net worth rose by $13 billion in July alone . It shits me to tears that two of the richest men on the planet are squabbling over pocket money (for themselves) , while trying to shaft 20000 investors and the local Congolese
I'm thankful Nigel is standing firm .

Slate Auto: Everything you need to know about the Bezos-backed EV startup | TechCrunch

Slate auto burst onto the scene in April 2025. Here is a timeline that covers its origins, backers, product, and other new details.

techcrunch.com

The Top 10 Richest People In The World (August 2025)

Who are The Top 10 Richest People In The World (August 2025)? From Elon Musk to Bernard Arnault, we break down the richest.

www.forbes.com.au

 

[Mr Inappropriate]

Here's a plain Engrish version of Brad Thompson's article published in the Australian:

The Australian
Mining Energy

AVZ boss Nigel Ferguson breaks silence as key players in Congo lithium project gather

AVZ Minerals managing director Nigel Ferguson has broken his silence as key players in the battle for a giant lithium project – including a Chinese billionaire and a US company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos – gather in Perth.

In his first interview since AVZ spiralled from an ASX-listed company valued at $4.6bn to a Ferguson said he remained hell-bent on securing the best deal for shareholders in any sale of the Manono lithium project in the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, regardless of the powerful geopolitical forces in play.

California-headquartered KoBold Metals is considered the frontrunner to acquire Manono from AVZ, as part of a deal which will have consequences for the Trump administration and Chinese Communist Party’s critical minerals ambitions in Africa.

Mr Ferguson indicated KoBold needed to step up its offer to get a deal done. Other US entities have shown an interest, and AVZ has been assured of support from its heavyweight Chinese backers in any continuation of a legal battle with the DRC over rights to Manono.

Senior figures from KoBold are in Perth at the same time as Chinese billionaire Pei Zhenhua, a major shareholder in Hong Kong-listed battery chemicals giant CATL, and a substantial player in the supply of lithium hydroxide and carbonate in his own right.

Mr Pei, with a fortune valued at almost $15bn by Forbes, has had talks with Mr Ferguson in recent days and is a regular visitor to WA where he has other investments in the battery supply chain. He owns 60 per cent of Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies, the Chinese company that is funding AVZ’s legal costs. CATL owns the other 40 per cent.

AVZ’s other big Chinese shareholders include Huayou, a critical minerals player that has invested heavily in cobalt and in the growth of Indonesian nickel production that contributed to the closure of nickel mines in Australia.

KoBold sent one of its contingent in Perth to Canberra for meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Treasury officials on Thursday. The company is understood to have some exploration interests in WA in addition to its designs on Manono.

Attention has focused on the small Gates and Bezos shareholdings in KoBold, but another billionaire on the register – Marc Andreessen – is seen as having the most influence on the White House when it comes to the future of Manono.

Mr Andreessen is a backer of US Vice President JD Vance and a noted China hawk. It is understood the US and the DRC have pencilled in the signing of a critical mineral pact for around August 22 but any breakdown in talks between KoBold and AVZ on a Manono deal threatens to derail those plans.

Mr Ferguson said Manono was “clearly the subject of great power competition”.

“The framework agreement with Kobold Metals, with the support of the US State Department, allows for a commercial deal to be struck with an American corporate entity,” he said.

“However, if an offer comes from another quarter we would be obliged to review this in detail and with the best interest of our shareholders in mind.

“A commercially acceptable offer that reflects the globally significant value of the Manono project has not been presented as yet and negotiations are still being progressed. Kobold is well aware of what we consider the project value to be.”

Mr Ferguson refused to speculate on what he considered a fair price.

“AVZ remains committed to completing an agreement to sell the assets to an American company as agreed with the US State Department but only on commercially acceptable terms,” he said.

“Time is of the essence with the US and DRC government apparently ready to execute an agreement for peace in the region and a critical minerals deal on or around August 22 at the White House.

“The Manono project is clearly the subject of great power competition. We recognise this. We will leave the geopolitics to others. Our responsibility is to our shareholders. We want to strike a commercial deal in their interests.”

The other big player in the fight for Manono is Chinese mining heavyweight Zijin, which gained a sizeable footprint in the WA gold sector through its acquisition of Northern Gold Fields.

Zijin – which set up an office in the same West Perth building as AVZ amid the Manono dispute – has charged ahead with developing the northern section of the deposit in the face of AVZ’s legal challenge in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Manono boasts an 842 million tonne resource at 1.61 per cent lithium oxide and is split into two geographically distinct northern and southern deposits. The southern part alone, sometimes referred to as Roche Dure, holds a 669 million-tonne resource.

AVZ maintains the DRC acted illegally by taking over its permit over the whole of Manono and then awarding the northern portion to Chinese mining company Zijin in September 2023.

A DRC-owned mining company and Zijin have so far ignored or challenged the international court’s orders, including a €39m ($69m) penalty payable to AVZ that is accruing at a daily rate of €50,000 plus interest.

The US State Department was supportive of the framework agreement struck deal between AVZ and KoBold in May against a backdrop of the DRC seeking US protection from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that had caused havoc and overrun parts of the resources-rich country.

However, they have not been able to agree on a price and doubts remain about whether KoBold, a mining and artificial intelligence start-up, could develop Manono without an experienced partner.

The project has also caught the eye of Rio Tinto, which has so far refused to comment on any interest.

One source suggested AVZ and KoBold were miles apart on price with AVZ talking billions of dollars and not giving up on reparations from Zijin over the northern part of Manono.

Mr Ferguson said the strengthening relationship between the US and the DRC had opened a window for AVZ to “achieve a positive outcome for shareholders”.

“We appreciate it is also an opportunity for the US government to address the lithium supply chain imbalance. We have spent a lot of time in the US this year, and we have appreciated the US government support,” he said

“Nonetheless, we will ultimately need to fulfil our legal responsibility to our shareholders and accept the best offer tabled.

“If KoBold is not able to present a commercially acceptable proposal, the project will in the short term continue to be locked up in arbitration. This will be to the detriment of the Congo, the people of Manono, and US critical minerals supply chains.”

AVZ had some 21,000 shareholders when its market valuation peaked at $4.6bn. The row with authorities in the DRC over what was touted as the world’s biggest lithium deposit led to the suspension of its share in May 2022 and delisting from the ASX in 2024.

Marc Andreessen - he’s the guy that created the first ever web browser (Mosiac, since you asked). He’s tech royalty.

 

[Mr Inappropriate]

"Zijin – which set up an office in the same West Perth building as AVZ amid the Manono dispute*"

Can't wait to watch the AVZ Netflix series when this nightmare ends.

Yeah, what the actual fuck. I hope that we’ve gotten appropriate cybersecurity advice: As sure as shit #Fuckzijin, aided and abetted by the chinese government, are snooping on AVZ.

 

[pow4ade]

Here's a plain Engrish version of Brad Thompson's article published in the Australian:

The Australian
Mining Energy

AVZ boss Nigel Ferguson breaks silence as key players in Congo lithium project gather

AVZ Minerals managing director Nigel Ferguson has broken his silence as key players in the battle for a giant lithium project – including a Chinese billionaire and a US company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos – gather in Perth.

In his first interview since AVZ spiralled from an ASX-listed company valued at $4.6bn to a Ferguson said he remained hell-bent on securing the best deal for shareholders in any sale of the Manono lithium project in the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, regardless of the powerful geopolitical forces in play.

California-headquartered KoBold Metals is considered the frontrunner to acquire Manono from AVZ, as part of a deal which will have consequences for the Trump administration and Chinese Communist Party’s critical minerals ambitions in Africa.

Mr Ferguson indicated KoBold needed to step up its offer to get a deal done. Other US entities have shown an interest, and AVZ has been assured of support from its heavyweight Chinese backers in any continuation of a legal battle with the DRC over rights to Manono.

Senior figures from KoBold are in Perth at the same time as Chinese billionaire Pei Zhenhua, a major shareholder in Hong Kong-listed battery chemicals giant CATL, and a substantial player in the supply of lithium hydroxide and carbonate in his own right.

Mr Pei, with a fortune valued at almost $15bn by Forbes, has had talks with Mr Ferguson in recent days and is a regular visitor to WA where he has other investments in the battery supply chain. He owns 60 per cent of Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies, the Chinese company that is funding AVZ’s legal costs. CATL owns the other 40 per cent.

AVZ’s other big Chinese shareholders include Huayou, a critical minerals player that has invested heavily in cobalt and in the growth of Indonesian nickel production that contributed to the closure of nickel mines in Australia.

KoBold sent one of its contingent in Perth to Canberra for meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Treasury officials on Thursday. The company is understood to have some exploration interests in WA in addition to its designs on Manono.

Attention has focused on the small Gates and Bezos shareholdings in KoBold, but another billionaire on the register – Marc Andreessen – is seen as having the most influence on the White House when it comes to the future of Manono.

Mr Andreessen is a backer of US Vice President JD Vance and a noted China hawk. It is understood the US and the DRC have pencilled in the signing of a critical mineral pact for around August 22 but any breakdown in talks between KoBold and AVZ on a Manono deal threatens to derail those plans.

Mr Ferguson said Manono was “clearly the subject of great power competition”.

“The framework agreement with Kobold Metals, with the support of the US State Department, allows for a commercial deal to be struck with an American corporate entity,” he said.

“However, if an offer comes from another quarter we would be obliged to review this in detail and with the best interest of our shareholders in mind.

“A commercially acceptable offer that reflects the globally significant value of the Manono project has not been presented as yet and negotiations are still being progressed. Kobold is well aware of what we consider the project value to be.”

Mr Ferguson refused to speculate on what he considered a fair price.

“AVZ remains committed to completing an agreement to sell the assets to an American company as agreed with the US State Department but only on commercially acceptable terms,” he said.

“Time is of the essence with the US and DRC government apparently ready to execute an agreement for peace in the region and a critical minerals deal on or around August 22 at the White House.

“The Manono project is clearly the subject of great power competition. We recognise this. We will leave the geopolitics to others. Our responsibility is to our shareholders. We want to strike a commercial deal in their interests.”

The other big player in the fight for Manono is Chinese mining heavyweight Zijin, which gained a sizeable footprint in the WA gold sector through its acquisition of Northern Gold Fields.

Zijin – which set up an office in the same West Perth building as AVZ amid the Manono dispute – has charged ahead with developing the northern section of the deposit in the face of AVZ’s legal challenge in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Manono boasts an 842 million tonne resource at 1.61 per cent lithium oxide and is split into two geographically distinct northern and southern deposits. The southern part alone, sometimes referred to as Roche Dure, holds a 669 million-tonne resource.

AVZ maintains the DRC acted illegally by taking over its permit over the whole of Manono and then awarding the northern portion to Chinese mining company Zijin in September 2023.

A DRC-owned mining company and Zijin have so far ignored or challenged the international court’s orders, including a €39m ($69m) penalty payable to AVZ that is accruing at a daily rate of €50,000 plus interest.

The US State Department was supportive of the framework agreement struck deal between AVZ and KoBold in May against a backdrop of the DRC seeking US protection from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that had caused havoc and overrun parts of the resources-rich country.

However, they have not been able to agree on a price and doubts remain about whether KoBold, a mining and artificial intelligence start-up, could develop Manono without an experienced partner.

The project has also caught the eye of Rio Tinto, which has so far refused to comment on any interest.

One source suggested AVZ and KoBold were miles apart on price with AVZ talking billions of dollars and not giving up on reparations from Zijin over the northern part of Manono.

Mr Ferguson said the strengthening relationship between the US and the DRC had opened a window for AVZ to “achieve a positive outcome for shareholders”.

“We appreciate it is also an opportunity for the US government to address the lithium supply chain imbalance. We have spent a lot of time in the US this year, and we have appreciated the US government support,” he said

“Nonetheless, we will ultimately need to fulfil our legal responsibility to our shareholders and accept the best offer tabled.

“If KoBold is not able to present a commercially acceptable proposal, the project will in the short term continue to be locked up in arbitration. This will be to the detriment of the Congo, the people of Manono, and US critical minerals supply chains.”

AVZ had some 21,000 shareholders when its market valuation peaked at $4.6bn. The row with authorities in the DRC over what was touted as the world’s biggest lithium deposit led to the suspension of its share in May 2022 and delisting from the ASX in 2024.

Bezos net worth is $240 billion . He's backing an EV startup company to rival (?) Tesla . He alone could pay us what we are worth , & recoup it all in no time . His net worth rose by $13 billion in July alone . It shits me to tears that two of the richest men on the planet are squabbling over pocket money (for themselves) , while trying to shaft 20000 investors and the local Congolese
I'm thankful Nigel is standing firm .

Gates and Bezos only have a relatively small holding in Kobold. So don't know if they can go crazy on price, unless they take control of Kobold.

 

[JNRB]

Gates and Bezos only have a relatively small holding in Kobold. So don't know if they can go crazy on price, unless they take control of Kobold.

Koko likely won't be stumping up the cash themselves. They'll agree on the price and then go speak to a bunch of other parties to raise the funds. That's an option for how Bezos and Gates are likely to help fund, rather than increasing their equity stake in the company.

 

[Charbella]

Shots fired.
Stop fking around KoBold.

If America loses this geopolitical gem, whole world know now it's because Kobold were being tight-arses. Sure that's part of the negotiation, but so is releasing an article like this and making it clear that we will let China take it if their willing to pay and kobold isn't.

Nigel clearly has high-level guidance! Every move has been precise, intentional, and well-executed.

Shame on you, Kobald.

You tried to play in the big leagues without the resources, structure, or readiness to back it up. And in doing so, you lost a strategic asset — not through conflict, but through miscalculation.

Opportunities like this don’t come twice. Losing a once-in-a-lifetime asset isn’t just unfortunate, it’s self-inflicted.

 

[Rechnerhand]

Update on ICSID case ...

 

[Dazmac66]

Update on ICSID case ...

View attachment 89250

Excellent timing - reaffirms commitment to hold DRC and Zijin to account.

 

[Lichione]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/avz-boss-nigel-ferguson-breaks-silence-as-key-players-in-congo-lithium-project-gather/news-story/08ac4676c651d56eea7d69650dc69040&ved=2ahUKEwj2-4aRweqOAxXnzzgGHfA9JF8QFnoECBsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0rBMX8fULEqTaq6lmc2Rbj

Anyone has access to the link? Thanks

 

[Lichione]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/avz-boss-nigel-ferguson-breaks-silence-as-key-players-in-congo-lithium-project-gather/news-story/08ac4676c651d56eea7d69650dc69040&ved=2ahUKEwj2-4aRweqOAxXnzzgGHfA9JF8QFnoECBsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0rBMX8fULEqTaq6lmc2Rbj

Anyone has access to the link? Thanks

Don't worry, it's the same as the Australian

 

[tolate]

Update on ICSID case ...

View attachment 89250

Yes I need to be a CLOWN or Joker to put up with this SAGA...!...imo
I think AVZ is breeding AVZ SH to accept these NEW CHAPTERS ...imo...
One HUGE mess, with no real outcome in the short term...imo
Just a on going mess, that could take years..!..imo
Without some sort of a DEAL been made...imo..!

 

[Cumquat Cap]

We’re ready to wait and fight Leonard you fucking cocksucker.

Strong messaging by Nigel, we’re the only party without time pressures, bring on a strong sale price. We’re not budging and Zijin are not stealing our northern portion without paying big time. Very good position of strength and the shareholding register is behind Nigel 100%

 

[tolate]

Gee hope ZIJIN come to the party...imo
Posted by another poster on this FORUM..!

“The Manono project is clearly the subject of great power competition. We recognise this. We will leave the geopolitics to others. Our responsibility is to our shareholders. We want to strike a commercial deal in their interests.”

The other big player in the fight for Manono is Chinese mining heavyweight Zijin, which gained a sizeable footprint in the WA gold sector through its acquisition of Northern Gold Fields.

Zijin – which set up an office in the same West Perth building as AVZ amid the Manono dispute – has charged ahead with developing the northern section of the deposit in the face of AVZ’s legal challenge in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).