Dave Evans
Regular
AVZ Minerals Videos
THE AVZ MINERALS STORY
- Thread starter MoneyBags1348
- Start date
MoneyBags1348
Top 20
Some terrific information with links, posted by @JAG and @Mute22 today.
The ICC Arbitration Rulings against Cominiere and Media Coverage relating to AVZ’s cases and the corruption AVZ has been fighting in the DRC since 2022
The delays, the tactics and even the balls to ask the emergency arbitrator to have AVZ pay all legal costs even after we won
fucking clowns.
https://avzminerals.com.au/s/20250310-27720-SVE-Copie-de-Courtoisie-de-la-Sentence-Partielle_en.pdf
I’ve linked all the coverage below, and I expect even more in the next 48 hours, I will keep this updated:
Fantastic work fellas
The ICC Arbitration Rulings against Cominiere and Media Coverage relating to AVZ’s cases and the corruption AVZ has been fighting in the DRC since 2022
JAG
Top 20
The full transcript is a read and a half.The delays, the tactics and even the balls to ask the emergency arbitrator to have AVZ pay all legal costs even after we won
fucking clowns.https://avzminerals.com.au/s/20250310-27720-SVE-Copie-de-Courtoisie-de-la-Sentence-Partielle_en.pdf
Mute22
Regular
We’ve had more media coverage in the past 24 hours than in the last three years—so let’s keep the momentum going.I’ve linked all the coverage below, and I expect even more in the next 48 hours, I will keep this updated:
- Mining.com: AVZ Minerals scores legal victory against Congo over disputed lithium mine
- Mining weekly: Australia's AVZ Minerals scores legal victory against Congo over disputed lithium mine
- Reuters: Australia's AVZ Minerals scores legal victory against Congo over disputed lithium mine
- The Australian: US posture on Aussie lithium miner to raise heat with China (Paywall)
- The Australian: AVZ breaks silence over US talks on Congo lithium project (Paywall)
- Finimize: AVZ Minerals Triumphs In Battle For Manono Lithium Rights
- The Advertiser: Aussie lithium explorer scores an international court legal victory over DRC and Chinese claim
- Bloomberg: Congo State Miner Must Pay €39 Million to Australia's AVZ in Lithium Dispute(Paywall)
- Herald Sun: US confirms its critical minerals agenda as fallen miner AVZ chases an improbable African prize
- Herald Sun: Aussie lithium explorer scores an international court legal victory over DRC and Chinese claim
- MSN News: Australia's AVZ Minerals scores legal victory against Congo over disputed lithium mine
- Courier Mail: Trump challenge lifts the hopes of a great escape for troubled lithium company AV
- Channel Africa: Australia's AVZ Minerals scores legal victory against DRC over disputed lithium mine
- Discovery Alert: AVZ Minerals Secures Legal Victory in Congo Lithium Dispute
- Discovery Alert: AVZ Minerals Wins Landmark Legal Battle Over DRC Lithium Project
- Engineering News: Australia's AVZ Minerals scores legal victory against Congo over disputed lithium mine
- Electionnet: DRC/Lithium de Manono: the country loses against AVZ Minerals, Cominière must pay €39.1 million
- AFR: (I could not verify there are any actual journalists working here)
Fantastic work fellas
Dave Evans
Regular
14/03/3025
ICC Award Penalty Against Cominiere Of €39 Million
15/03/2025
The United States is preparing to intervene in the ongoing dispute over the Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Australian reported that Washington aims to back Australian company AVZ Minerals in its legal battle to reclaim the lithium asset.
The US intervention aligns with its broader strategy to secure critical minerals and limit Chinese control over key global resources.
Figure 1: The Manono Lithium Mine
The dispute began after the DRC revoked AVZ’s mining permit in 2023, citing slow project development. The rights were later transferred to a unit of Zijin Mining, leading AVZ to challenge the decision in arbitration.
AVZ stated it would explore options to recover the penalty and is in early discussions with US-based entities to secure funding for the Manono project.
A US State Department spokesperson confirmed ongoing discussions with DRC officials regarding responsible investment in critical minerals.
“The US has and continues to work with our DRC partners to boost US private sector investment in the DRC to develop mining resources in a responsible and transparent manner that contributes to the strength and prosperity of both the DRC and the US,” the spokesperson stated.
US officials reportedly plan to allow Zijin to retain control over the northern section of Manono to avoid direct conflict with China.
Figure 2: AVZ faced major setbacks after losing control of Manono
The US government has also raised concerns over AVZ’s financial ties to China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer. In January 2024, CATL provided AVZ with USD 20 million in funding.
In the same month, the US Department of Defence designated CATL as a “Chinese military company.” CATL has denied engaging in any military-related activities.
Jean Bele, a DRC businessman and physicist, highlighted the country’s complex position between the US and China.
“It is a very tricky situation,” Bele said. “US investment requires the respect of the environment, of human rights, and the many other things. Chinese investment is not doing that now.”
DRC’s state-owned mining company, Gécamines, has offered to acquire Chemaf to prevent China’s Norinco from expanding its interests in the country’s mining sector.
Figure 3: US is monitoring conflict involving Chemaf Resources
Norinco already owns the Comika and Lamikal mines in partnership with Gécamines. The US sanctioned Norinco in 2021.
“The US is open to discussing partnerships aligned with the Trump administration’s America First Agenda,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Jean Bele welcomed US investment, saying it promotes legal compliance, unlike some Chinese firms accused of bribery.
The lithium, copper, and cobalt disputes highlight the DRC’s central role in the US-China struggle for critical minerals.
colitco.com
ICC Award Penalty Against Cominiere Of €39 Million
15/03/2025
US Moves to Support AVZ in Congo Lithium Dispute
The United States is preparing to intervene in the ongoing dispute over the Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Australian reported that Washington aims to back Australian company AVZ Minerals in its legal battle to reclaim the lithium asset.
The US intervention aligns with its broader strategy to secure critical minerals and limit Chinese control over key global resources.
AVZ Secures Legal Victory Against DRC
AVZ Minerals announced a legal win on Friday against the DRC and China’s Zijin Mining over the Manono lithium mine. The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ordered DRC’s state-owned Cominiere to pay a €39.1 million ($42.46 million) penalty for failing to comply with previous rulings.
Figure 1: The Manono Lithium Mine
The dispute began after the DRC revoked AVZ’s mining permit in 2023, citing slow project development. The rights were later transferred to a unit of Zijin Mining, leading AVZ to challenge the decision in arbitration.
AVZ stated it would explore options to recover the penalty and is in early discussions with US-based entities to secure funding for the Manono project.
Manono Lithium Dispute Intensifies
AVZ asserts it holds legal rights over the entire deposit, but DRC authorities split the licence, allowing Zijin to proceed with mining operations in the northern section. AVZ is seeking redress through international arbitration, though previous favourable rulings have not been enforced.US Plans for Manono Project
The US government aims to ensure the southern section of the Manono project is returned to AVZ. In exchange, AVZ is expected to sell the asset to a US entity.A US State Department spokesperson confirmed ongoing discussions with DRC officials regarding responsible investment in critical minerals.
“The US has and continues to work with our DRC partners to boost US private sector investment in the DRC to develop mining resources in a responsible and transparent manner that contributes to the strength and prosperity of both the DRC and the US,” the spokesperson stated.
Geopolitical Ramifications of US Involvement
The dispute over Manono comes amid rising tensions between the US and China over global supply chains for critical minerals. Washington views Zijin as a state-controlled entity and seeks to limit its influence.US officials reportedly plan to allow Zijin to retain control over the northern section of Manono to avoid direct conflict with China.
AVZ’s Struggles and US-CATL Tensions
AVZ, once valued at AUD 4.6 billion, faced significant setbacks after losing control of Manono. The company was delisted from the ASX in 2024 following a trading suspension in 2022.
Figure 2: AVZ faced major setbacks after losing control of Manono
The US government has also raised concerns over AVZ’s financial ties to China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer. In January 2024, CATL provided AVZ with USD 20 million in funding.
In the same month, the US Department of Defence designated CATL as a “Chinese military company.” CATL has denied engaging in any military-related activities.
DRC’s Balancing Act Between US and China
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi is reportedly seeking a strategic agreement with the US to address security challenges, including conflicts with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.Jean Bele, a DRC businessman and physicist, highlighted the country’s complex position between the US and China.
“It is a very tricky situation,” Bele said. “US investment requires the respect of the environment, of human rights, and the many other things. Chinese investment is not doing that now.”
Chemaf Copper and Cobalt Dispute
Beyond the lithium dispute, the US is also monitoring another critical minerals conflict involving Chemaf Resources, a DRC-based copper and cobalt miner.DRC’s state-owned mining company, Gécamines, has offered to acquire Chemaf to prevent China’s Norinco from expanding its interests in the country’s mining sector.
Figure 3: US is monitoring conflict involving Chemaf Resources
Norinco already owns the Comika and Lamikal mines in partnership with Gécamines. The US sanctioned Norinco in 2021.
Future of US Investment in DRC
Washington seeks a critical minerals partnership with the DRC to counter China’s dominance and secure resources for defence and electrification.“The US is open to discussing partnerships aligned with the Trump administration’s America First Agenda,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Jean Bele welcomed US investment, saying it promotes legal compliance, unlike some Chinese firms accused of bribery.
The lithium, copper, and cobalt disputes highlight the DRC’s central role in the US-China struggle for critical minerals.
US Backs AVZ in Congo Lithium Dispute Against China
AVZ wins a legal battle over Congo’s Manono lithium mine as the US moves to counter China’s influence in critical minerals.
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Dave Evans
Regular
08/05/2025
AUSTRALIAN ARTICLE
Aussie miner AVZ in sale agreement with Gates, Bezos-backed KoBold
Perth-based AVZ Minerals has defied the odds to reach a geopolitically significant deal to sell a giant lithium project in Africa to a US company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.
The deal between AVZ and KoBold Metals over the Manono project in the Democratic Republic of Congo shapes as the linchpin in a critical mineral pact between the Trump administration and the strife-torn nation.
Both the US government and DRC president Felix Tshisekedi are understood to support the deal between AVZ and KoBold thrashed out in Washington.
The sale price remains unclear but the deal is set to trigger an initial investment of more than $US1bn ($1.55bn) in Manono from KoBold, and is a rebuff to Chinese interests in Africa.
AVZ’s market capitalisation got to $4.6bn in 2022 on high hopes for Manono but fell from grace as it lost control of the massive hard rock deposit that has been likened to the world leading Greenbushes lithium mine in Western Australia.
In a joint statement, AVZ and KoBold said they recognised that “rapid, ethical development of the Manono lithium deposit should play a role in supporting peace and security”.
Their deal was struck against a backdrop of the DRC seeking US protection from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that have caused havoc and overrun parts of the resources-rich country.
The statement, signed by AVZ chief executive Nigel Ferguson and his KoBold counterpart Kurt House, said they had advanced the peace process by reaching consensus on a commercial framework to enable the rapid development of Manono.
“This framework entails AVZ selling its commercial interest in the Manono lithium deposit to KoBold for fair value,” it said.
“The agreement will enable KoBold to rapidly deploy more than $US1bn to bring the Manono lithium to Western markets.
“The development of Manono will create thousands of high paying Congolese jobs for decades. AVZ enthusiastically endorses KoBold’s approach to investing in local talent.”
AVZ and KoBold said they were working with “all possible speed” to conclude the sale.
“AVZ and KoBold are working cooperatively with all stakeholders, including the US government, the DRC government, and AVZ’s current development partner,” they said.
The Australian understands Mr Tshisekedi has given his blessing to the AVZ-KoBold deal. Mr Tshisekedi is thought to have told US special envoy Massad Boulos and other stakeholders that he’d been looking for a solution to the Manono “problem” for a long time and found it in the AVZ-KoBold agreement.
AVZ scored a partial victory over the DRC and giant Chinese miner Zijin in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in March.
The company, whose shares were delisted in 2024, maintains the DRC acted illegally by taking over its permit over the whole of Manono and then awarding the northern portion to a Zijin subsidiary in September 2023.
AVZ will propose to the DRC government that they suspend the international arbitration proceedings to facilitate discussions on handing back its licence to clear the way for the KoBold deal.
Sources close to Mr Ferguson said he had been working tirelessly in Washington to secure the best possible deal for AVZ shareholders given there is no guarantee the DRC would adhere to any eventual arbitration ruling in AVZ’s favour. The ICC awarded a $67.5m penalty against DRC-owned mining company Cominière in March because it ignored previous emergency orders in the dispute.
AVZ has asked some of its disgruntled shareholders to show restraint in social media posts on the DRC and its government given the delicate state of negotiations on Manono.
The Australian broke the news of Washington’s unlikely advocacy for AVZ back in March and then flagged the deal with California-based KoBold.
Mr Boulos, the father-in-law of Mr Trump’s daughter Tiffany and his adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, was sent to Kinshasa early last month, to discuss a critical minerals pact with the DRC in return for security.
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.
The US has indicated it is willing to back AVZ retrieving the southern licence to minimise antagonising China with Zijin well advanced in developing the northern deposit.
It is understood both the US and KoBold favour a change of ownership based on AVZ and the DRC discontinuing legal action.
The US also wants any sale by AVZ to not be complicated by links to China’s CATL – the world’s biggest electric vehicle battery manufacturer, which in January provided $20m in funding to AVZ to help the company finance the legal battle for Manono.
Gates and Bezos-backed mining and artificial intelligence start-up KoBold may opt to bring in a partner to help develop Manono.
The project has also caught the eye of Rio Tinto, which has so far refused to comment on any interest.
The Australian has also reported that other her assets on the US radar in the DRC include cobalt and copper deposits controlled by Trafigura-backed Chemaf. Dubai-based Chemaf reportedly failed to gain DRC approval for a sale to an arm of Chinese state-owned defence manufacturer Norinco Group
China already has a significant presence in the DRC, which is rich in copper, cobalt, tin and uranium.
Brad Thompson
Mining reporter
AUSTRALIAN ARTICLE
Aussie miner AVZ in sale agreement with Gates, Bezos-backed KoBold
Perth-based AVZ Minerals has defied the odds to reach a geopolitically significant deal to sell a giant lithium project in Africa to a US company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.
The deal between AVZ and KoBold Metals over the Manono project in the Democratic Republic of Congo shapes as the linchpin in a critical mineral pact between the Trump administration and the strife-torn nation.
Both the US government and DRC president Felix Tshisekedi are understood to support the deal between AVZ and KoBold thrashed out in Washington.
The sale price remains unclear but the deal is set to trigger an initial investment of more than $US1bn ($1.55bn) in Manono from KoBold, and is a rebuff to Chinese interests in Africa.
AVZ’s market capitalisation got to $4.6bn in 2022 on high hopes for Manono but fell from grace as it lost control of the massive hard rock deposit that has been likened to the world leading Greenbushes lithium mine in Western Australia.
In a joint statement, AVZ and KoBold said they recognised that “rapid, ethical development of the Manono lithium deposit should play a role in supporting peace and security”.
Their deal was struck against a backdrop of the DRC seeking US protection from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that have caused havoc and overrun parts of the resources-rich country.
The statement, signed by AVZ chief executive Nigel Ferguson and his KoBold counterpart Kurt House, said they had advanced the peace process by reaching consensus on a commercial framework to enable the rapid development of Manono.
“This framework entails AVZ selling its commercial interest in the Manono lithium deposit to KoBold for fair value,” it said.
“The agreement will enable KoBold to rapidly deploy more than $US1bn to bring the Manono lithium to Western markets.
“The development of Manono will create thousands of high paying Congolese jobs for decades. AVZ enthusiastically endorses KoBold’s approach to investing in local talent.”
AVZ and KoBold said they were working with “all possible speed” to conclude the sale.
“AVZ and KoBold are working cooperatively with all stakeholders, including the US government, the DRC government, and AVZ’s current development partner,” they said.
The Australian understands Mr Tshisekedi has given his blessing to the AVZ-KoBold deal. Mr Tshisekedi is thought to have told US special envoy Massad Boulos and other stakeholders that he’d been looking for a solution to the Manono “problem” for a long time and found it in the AVZ-KoBold agreement.
AVZ scored a partial victory over the DRC and giant Chinese miner Zijin in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in March.
The company, whose shares were delisted in 2024, maintains the DRC acted illegally by taking over its permit over the whole of Manono and then awarding the northern portion to a Zijin subsidiary in September 2023.
AVZ will propose to the DRC government that they suspend the international arbitration proceedings to facilitate discussions on handing back its licence to clear the way for the KoBold deal.
Sources close to Mr Ferguson said he had been working tirelessly in Washington to secure the best possible deal for AVZ shareholders given there is no guarantee the DRC would adhere to any eventual arbitration ruling in AVZ’s favour. The ICC awarded a $67.5m penalty against DRC-owned mining company Cominière in March because it ignored previous emergency orders in the dispute.
AVZ has asked some of its disgruntled shareholders to show restraint in social media posts on the DRC and its government given the delicate state of negotiations on Manono.
The Australian broke the news of Washington’s unlikely advocacy for AVZ back in March and then flagged the deal with California-based KoBold.
Mr Boulos, the father-in-law of Mr Trump’s daughter Tiffany and his adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, was sent to Kinshasa early last month, to discuss a critical minerals pact with the DRC in return for security.
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.
The US has indicated it is willing to back AVZ retrieving the southern licence to minimise antagonising China with Zijin well advanced in developing the northern deposit.
It is understood both the US and KoBold favour a change of ownership based on AVZ and the DRC discontinuing legal action.
The US also wants any sale by AVZ to not be complicated by links to China’s CATL – the world’s biggest electric vehicle battery manufacturer, which in January provided $20m in funding to AVZ to help the company finance the legal battle for Manono.
Gates and Bezos-backed mining and artificial intelligence start-up KoBold may opt to bring in a partner to help develop Manono.
The project has also caught the eye of Rio Tinto, which has so far refused to comment on any interest.
The Australian has also reported that other her assets on the US radar in the DRC include cobalt and copper deposits controlled by Trafigura-backed Chemaf. Dubai-based Chemaf reportedly failed to gain DRC approval for a sale to an arm of Chinese state-owned defence manufacturer Norinco Group
China already has a significant presence in the DRC, which is rich in copper, cobalt, tin and uranium.
Brad Thompson
Mining reporter
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Dave Evans
Regular
Aeolian
https://x.com/kobold_metals/status/1920168476968128767?s=46&t=6CB4a-o1KP_xg3M93rjQlg
Member
https://x.com/kobold_metals/status/1920168476968128767?s=46&t=6CB4a-o1KP_xg3M93rjQlg
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x.com
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