I think it helps to have the occasional laugh on this forum, though it’s not always easy to pick the appropriate time.
Right now shareholders who haven’t been able to attend a Roadshow are still somewhat in the dark, whilst those who have been able to attend have left with a renewed sense of confidence.
The reason for this is because the forums are being monitored by those in the DRC (and elsewhere) who would try and unlawfully steal this project from us, and use anything said on the forums against us, even after AVZ have spent millions of dollars progressing the project and contributing to the local communities. Any comments to the contrary are outright lies.
Recently there has been a media campaign by Adele Kayinda (DRC Minister of Portfolio) trying to undermine the DRC President and AVZ (the company) in regards to the Dathcom - Manono project.
Jules Alingete (The Inspector General of Finance) released a report earlier this year stating
The sale of the 15% of COMINIERE's shares in DATHCOM Mining to ZIJIN Mining was carried out in violation of the legal provisions on the withdrawal of the State from the companies in the Portfolio and caused, with regard to the assessments made in the study of feasibility, a significant shortfall for the Public Treasury estimated at US$116,560,000. It was a real sale of the State's mining heritage, for which you are responsible.
Would the US$6,800,000 be kickbacks ?
Out of the total amount of proceeds from the sale of 15% of the shares, which amounts to US$33,440,000, you have already used approximately US$6,800,000 for operating needs to the detriment of productive investments, including USD 5,438,198 $US for commissions, collations, fees, exceptional remuneration of all those who would have contributed to the operation.
On the sale of 5% of COMINIERE's shares in DATHCOM to MMS
The presumed free and provisional transfer of 5% of COMINIERE's shares in DATHCOM Mining to DATHOMIR Mining Sarl, but which with regard to the transfer contract, was final and irrevocable without the income from the transfer being traced to COMINIERE.
The IGF considers in particular that there was a violation in the sale of 15% of the shares of COMINIERE to the Chinese of ZIJIN Mining Ldt
The IGF (who was brought in by the President of the DRC to rectify the corruption and stealing of funds from the Government and people of the DRC) also acknowledges that Adele Kayinda (MoP), who oversaw Cominiere’s actions, was complicit in the illegal sale of the mining assets held by Cominiere to Chinese mining giant Zigin.
In addition to this, there is evidence that suggests that the current DRC Prime Minister (Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge) had full knowledge of the actions taken by Adele Kayinda to undermine our company.
I understand the frustration as much as anyone here, no matter how hard, a little more patience, humour, and having faith that Nigel is making progress is our best method of moving forward.