Does anybody have access to the new article on the West Australian?
My login is only on my work device.
Pretty sure this is it, via the #2 forum:
Al mining explorer backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos hoping to cut a deal for Congo-stranded $AVZ Minerals
Adrian Rauso | The West Australian Mon, 24 March 2025 12:34PM
A cutting-edge mining company that counts the ultra-rich Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos as investors could reportedly throw Australian-based AVZ
Minerals a lifeline for part control over one of the world's largest hard rock lithium deposits.
The US-based KoBold Metals recently penned a letter to the #DRC Democratic Republic of Congo's rulers, Bloomberg has reported, amid early-stage conversations between the US and the DRC to form a critical minerals and security partnership. #criticalminerals
KoBold, which is known for using artificial intelligence to explore for commodities like lithium and copper, has proposed taking over a mining license.
KoBold's proposal also reportedly aims to resolve a long-drawn dispute involving AVZ
Minerals, China's #Zijin @Manonolithium Mining Group and the DRC government, according to a letter seen by Bloomberg.
The deposit "has the potential to become a large-scale, long-lived lithium mine," KoBold chief legal officer Sandy Alexander wrote in a letter to Congo President Felix Tshisekedi's @Presidence_RDC chief of staff on January 21.
The company "would welcome the opportunity to develop the asset," Mr Alexander said.
KoBold has more than 70 exploration projects around the world and is developing a copper mine in neighbouring Zambia.
The KoBold offer reportedly came days before President Tshisekedi proposed a minerals-for-security deal with US President Donald Trump's administration @realDonaldTrump @StateDept @marcorubio . DRC's government is battling a Rwanda-backed rebellion in its mineral-rich eastern provinces #M23_RDF_AFC
AVZ was developing the #Manono mining project in the DRC - touted as "the biggest lithium discovery on the planet". But in 2023 the DRC's government controversially split the licence and gave Zijin the northern portion.
The value of AVZ, which was listed on the ASX, was savaged by the licence split and its shares are currently delisted.
AVZ is fighting a bitter legal battle in hopes of winning back the whole deposit. Adding to the drama, The West Australian in December revealed that AVZ is under investigation by the Australian Federal Police over bribery allegations.
KoBold's plan is contingent on AVZ receiving
"appropriate compensation" and agreeing to transfer all its interests in the DRC.
Once all disputes are resolved, Zijin would keep the northern section of the deposit, and the US company would develop the southern portion.
KoBold also requested the Congolese government be the minority shareholder in any joint venture rather than state-owned
#Cominiere @cominiereSA , which was AVZ's partner before the relationship soured.
AVZ chief executive Nigel Ferguson @AvzMinerals told Bloomberg that one of the company's external lawyers was copied on the letter addressed to Anthony Nkinzo @Anthony_Nkinzo , who serves as President Tshisekedi's chief of staff.