AVZ Discussion 2022

[Samus]

SEZ) Special Economic Zone for lithium and batteries, with the Australians, the Chinese or the Americans and the Zambians?​

February 25, 2023
Kiki Kienge

By Kiki Kienge
This is following a tweet from the Minister of Industry of the DR Congo, Julien Paluku after a tete-a-tete with the Chinese Ambassador to the DR Congo, Zhu Jing in order to guarantee the interests of Chinese companies in the DR Congo. That a large number of Congolese have called for caution and vigilance on the creation of a Chinese Special Economic Zone (SEZ), for the development of a value chain of lithium electric batteries in Manono.

What is a special economic zone?
Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are free zones often created by the central government, at the scale of a port, a district or a city, functioning as economic and fiscal enclaves.
A geographical region in which the economic laws are more liberal and advantageous for the companies which settle there, than those in the rest of the country. The SEZ offers a combination of tax incentives, favorable customs duties, simplified customs procedures and limited regulations.
Why this concern of the Congolese on the Chinese SEZ?
Recently in the DR Congo we are witnessing negative revelations of an economic nature, mostly from Chinese companies. Finally it was the report of the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) under the batons of the chief inspector, Jules Alingete who revealed the underside of the figures of the Sino-Congolese contract, a barter signed in 2008 under the regime of Joseph Kabila between the DR Congo and a consortium of Chinese companies.

Manono ZES (AVZ), Chinese ZES (CATL) and the DRC/USA/Zambia value chain
Upstream on the development of Manono lithium which will be exploited in Tanganiyka by Dathcom, a joint venture between the Congolese State with COMINIERE and the Australians of AVZ Minerals, we must talk about the special economic zone of Manono, a concept of AVZ Minerals with Dathcom for the recovery and proper exploitation of lithium and tin from Manono.
In short, below are some passages from the AVZ Minerals press release of February 18, 2020 after the meeting between its representatives in DR Congo with that of the Congolese government, the Minister of Industry Julien Paluku;
AVZ signs a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Industry to create a
special economic zone in Manono

• AVZ has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Congolese government to create a special economic zone in Manono, Tanganyika province, DRC.
• The special economic zone has the potential to present significant economic benefits for business development and profitability. significant economic benefits to the development and profitability of the Manono lithium and tin project, including exemptions or reductions on corporate income tax and customs duties.
• AVZ Minerals Limited (ASX: AVZ, “the Company”) is pleased to announce that AVZ has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with the Ministry of Industry for the development of a extraction of lithium and tin.
• The objective of the memorandum of understanding is to establish the conditions for collaboration and negotiation between the Ministry of Industry and AVZ with a view to establishing the "Special Economic Zone of Manono" in the province of Tanganyika and the development of basic infrastructure in this area.
• The defined geographical area will initially include all essential infrastructure such as water, electricity (the Mpiana Mwanga hydroelectric installation) and health services. electricity (Mpiana Mwanga hydroelectric plant) and roads, including the Manono Lithium and Tin project licenses (PR13359, PR4029 and PR4030) to facilitate successful mining.

AVZ Managing Director Nigel Ferguson said: “We are extremely excited about this major milestone for the Manono lithium and tin project (…)”
Julien Paluku , Minister of Industry, declared in particular: “We are very happy to be able to count on AVZ. Industry must now be a factor of stability and peace with the creation of wealth and jobs…”
To understand AVZ's press release, this Manono SEZ would not be linked to the electric battery value chain project, because AVZ Minerals is not a battery manufacturer.
AVZDownload
But the question arises when we look at the entry of the Chinese giant in the manufacture of batteries, CATL with 24% in AVZ Minerals for a possibility of developing Manono's lithium and why not the manufacture of batteries in the future.
But now in Minister Julien Paluku's Tweet, there is talk of another Chinese SEZ with the same CATL operated in AVZ Minerals for the development of a project in the value chain of Manono's lithium electric batteries.
In addition to the two possible SEZs linked to lithium, from Manono with AVZ/CATL and the Chinese SEZ, there is also the zone to be created in Haut Katanga on the basis of the agreement between the same government of DR Congo, of Zambia and the United States for the manufacture of Manono's lithium-bonded batteries.

(ZES) Zone Économique Spéciale du lithium et batteries, avec les Australiens, les Chinois ou les Américains et les Zambiens ? - Kongo Presse

Par Kiki Kienge C’est suite à un tweet du Ministre de l’industrie de la RD Congo, Julien Paluku après un tête-à-tête avec l’ambassadeur Chinois en RD Congo, Zhu Jing afin…

kongopress.com

 

[Samus]

#RDCongo #DRCongo : I have just finished reading the summary report of #IGF_RDC on the management of the mining assets of #RDC by the public company #COMINIERE_SA , to understand the complaint of $AVZ . First thing, the agents of the State, do as they please (1/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : #COMINIERE_SA sold 15% of its shares in violation of the law #congolaise to #Zijing at $33,440,000 on a value assessed at 154,200,000 causing the State to lose #congolais 120,760 .000$!! Who can understand this logic? (2/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : All the $33,440,000 fruits of the illegal sale of shares of #COMINIERE_SA went directly into the pockets of the managers of #COMINIERE_SA , their consultants and nothing to revive the operation. In short, nothing for the people (3/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : We ask the President #Tshisekedi who is looking for investments #Win_Win , to take a personal interest in the file of #COMINIERE_SA and $AVZ which highlights the architecture of corruption within public enterprises (4/4)

 

[TDITD]

Very good mate. Please download and use the spell corrected English version also.


Message me you twitter handle so I can follow you.

Paul@TDITDistaken

 

[LithiumKing]

#RDCongo #DRCongo : I have just finished reading the summary report of #IGF_RDC on the management of the mining assets of #RDC by the public company #COMINIERE_SA , to understand the complaint of $AVZ . First thing, the agents of the State, do as they please (1/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : #COMINIERE_SA sold 15% of its shares in violation of the law #congolaise to #Zijing at $33,440,000 on a value assessed at 154,200,000 causing the State to lose #congolais 120,760 .000$!! Who can understand this logic? (2/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : All the $33,440,000 fruits of the illegal sale of shares of #COMINIERE_SA went directly into the pockets of the managers of #COMINIERE_SA , their consultants and nothing to revive the operation. In short, nothing for the people (3/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : We ask the President #Tshisekedi who is looking for investments #Win_Win , to take a personal interest in the file of #COMINIERE_SA and $AVZ which highlights the architecture of corruption within public enterprises (4/4)

Very big political influencer in the DRC who is always campaigning on corruption with over 85k followers On twitter. Finally understanding the corruption that Zijin and DRC ministers and is calling for the president to respond. The fight needs to be on social media to get the truth out

 

[Mr Inappropriate]

#RDCongo #DRCongo : I have just finished reading the summary report of #IGF_RDC on the management of the mining assets of #RDC by the public company #COMINIERE_SA , to understand the complaint of $AVZ . First thing, the agents of the State, do as they please (1/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : #COMINIERE_SA sold 15% of its shares in violation of the law #congolaise to #Zijing at $33,440,000 on a value assessed at 154,200,000 causing the State to lose #congolais 120,760 .000$!! Who can understand this logic? (2/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : All the $33,440,000 fruits of the illegal sale of shares of #COMINIERE_SA went directly into the pockets of the managers of #COMINIERE_SA , their consultants and nothing to revive the operation. In short, nothing for the people (3/4)

#RDCongo #DRCongo : We ask the President #Tshisekedi who is looking for investments #Win_Win , to take a personal interest in the file of #COMINIERE_SA and $AVZ which highlights the architecture of corruption within public enterprises (4/4)

”Now, off to sleep little johnny” said Dad.
”but you missed the last page!” responded Johnny. “What happened after the blatant grift and corruption was exposed by the IGF?”
”oh” said dad, casually flipping to the last page as he had meant to skip it all along.
”Nothing - it says “nothing”. Sensing he’d missed something in the tiny text he pulled the book in really close. He squinted hard and continued:
“Got it!, he said. “A B S O L U T E L Y F U C K I N G N O T H I N G !”
They both looked blankly at each other for a moment before dad said “Good night Johnny. Same story again tomorrow?”.
“Not sure” said the now irritated Johnny. “They sound like kunts, and i’m tiring of this shit-fuckery”.
Now by the doorway dad replied “we’ll see what tomorrow brings then, hey?” And with that he flicked the light switch and closed the door.

 

[JAG]

@TDITD

I think we have smashed a new twitter record for the most amount of posts. HAHAHAHAAHHA

 

[Spikerama]

@TDITD

I think we have smashed a new twitter record for the most amount of posts. HAHAHAHAAHHA

New timecode for ICC date now up

AVZ Assets for Social Media Campaign

Hi everyone. As requested here is a thread that will contain all the links to the assets I have been creating. Feel free to use them throughout social media whenever and whereever you see an opportunity. If I can make one suggestion it is if you are going to screen shot them and post the image...

thestockexchange.com.au

 

[TDITD]

@TDITD

I think we have smashed a new twitter record for the most amount of posts. HAHAHAHAAHHA

Teamwork makes the dream work

 

[Dazmac66]

Can we establish who the identity of those closest to Tshekidi, (advisors, aids)and track down their social media accounts so we are targeting close to the bullseye? Maybe this Marius chap could help with this and include it as part of his $sixfig!

 

[Samus]

Very big political influencer in the DRC who is always campaigning on corruption with over 85k followers On twitter. Finally understanding the corruption that Zijin and DRC ministers and is calling for the president to respond. The fight needs to be on social media to get the truth out

We all have an interest in seeing this case clarified and serving as an example for future cases, which is why I am intervening.

 

[Dazmac66]

View attachment 30654 View attachment 30655
It states Patrick Kawara is an advisor to MoM. Can anyone confirm this before we smash his Twitter account? I think he may be a past advisor.

 

[Samus]

1/5 Sale of 15% of #RDC to #ZIJIN in 2020, the underside of the figures! COMINIERE hires 2 firms to assess the value of the shares of #Dathcom , strangely these last two independently based on the study of $AVZ , give the same figure to the nearest decimal point,

2/5 $2,636,660. But @AvzMinerals who did the feasibility study, puts forward the figure of 10 million for 1%. La COMINIERE ignores the amount of #AVZ , with the Ok of the Ministers of the portfolio and of Mines, sells to #ZIJIN at the price of 33 million $ for the 15% against

3/5 $150 million certified by $AVZ . The $33 million should be used for the revival of COMINIERE (payment of workers, purchase of machinery, other investments...), but the money ended up in something other than the revival of the company: - $6 million was

4/5 paid to the two firms that "assessed" the price at $2.2 million. - $7 million paid to the commissioners, including $5 million to Ms. Lisette Kananga #Tshibwanwa from the office of the President of the Republic. - $2 million for the members of the administration of La Cominiere.

5/5 - The rest was squandered according to
@IgfRdc
and according to some journalists, would be in a bank. Kiki #Kienge

 

[MoneyBags1348]

View attachment 30654 View attachment 30655
It states Patrick Kawara is an advisor to MoM. Can anyone confirm this before we smash his Twitter account? I think he may be a past advisor.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/patrick-kawara-430a2225

 

[Mr Inappropriate]

View attachment 30654 View attachment 30655
It states Patrick Kawara is an advisor to MoM. Can anyone confirm this before we smash his Twitter account? I think he may be a past advisor.

Edit: What @MoneyBags1348 said…

 

[Spikerama]

@JAG you are still using the old, bad spelling version of the English Princess poster. Delete it mate and download the new one.

 

[JAG]

@JAG you are still using the old, bad spelling version of the English Princess poster. Delete it mate and download the new one.

 

[Powerage]

A bit over a week and a half ago we sent a combined effort letter to the AFR regarding the biased and compromised reporting of Tommy the twat and the serious errors and omissions in his articles regarding AVZ

Thank you to all who made contributions and suggestions for the content and also those who reviewed the various drafts....very much appreciated everyone

The letter was signed off by myself, ptlas and Dazmac66

For the record we received no response from the AFR so one can assume they couldn't give a rats or didn't want to acknowledge the issues raised

For those that are interested a copy of the letter is posted below

Feel free to use all or parts of the letter for your own purposes if it is helpful in any way

Cheers



Sent to the editor of the AFR:-


Dear Sir / Madam,

We would like to make a formal complaint about Tom Richardson of the AFR and his recent articles regarding AVZ Minerals. The 'stories' are extremely one sided, overly suggestive and have a number of factual errors or omissions.

For background AVZ Minerals (AVZ) is an Australian domiciled company that through its subsidiary AVZ International Pty Ltd holds a majority interest in the entity Dathcom Mining which has rightfully and legally secured tenement PE 13359 in the region of Manono in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The tenement PE 13359 in Manono contains what is currently considered to be the world’s largest, known, hard rock, Lithium resource.

AVZ and its management have worked extensively to legally obtain the mining rights in relation to PE 13359 working closely with the DRC government, all relevant authorities, always adhering to the DRC mining code and at all times applying the provisions and guidelines of the DRC anti-corruption policy throughout its dealings and operations in country.

We would specifically like bring to your attention that over the last 6 years in the DRC, AVZ (in relation to the development of the Manono Lithium resource) has carried out the following activities:

• Soil Sampling
• Field Mapping
• Consulting
• Drilling
• Metallurgical Testing
• Completing a FEED Study
• Environmental Study and Impact Assessment Reports including Groundwater Management
• Completion of a 160 page Definitive Feasibility Study
• Liaising with the DRC Government with respect to a Special Economic Zone (“SEZ”) Agreement
• Tendering for Mining Infrastructure
• Legally Obtaining and Paying for an Increased Share of Dathcom Mining
• Obtaining Several Offtake Agreements for both Lithium and Tin
• Raising Capital, Negotiating Funding with Pan African DFI’s and a Funding and Offtake Agreement with CATH
• Presenting at the Battery Minerals Conference
• Legally Fulfilling all Requirements to Obtain the Mining License via Dathcom Mining
• Including Receiving the Ministerial Decree to Award the Mining License and producing an 85 page Sustainability Report
• Investing over $100 million dollars in furthering the project; and
• Supporting the Local Community

Additionally, we note that the DRC state owned company, Cominiere, is working with the Minister of Mines, the Minister of Portfolio and the Director General of the DRC Mining Cadastre (CAMI) to effectively deny granting AVZ Minerals a mining license through its majority interest in Dathcom Mining held by its subsidiary AVZ International Pty Ltd.

The actions these participants are currently undertaking are explicitly in non-compliance with the DRC mining code and are blocking the rightful issue of the mining license. It should be noted that via official ministerial decree the mining license has effectively already been granted to AVZ, again this is through the majority interest in Dathcom Mining held by its subsidiary AVZ International Pty Ltd.

The actions of these participants has also allowed a Chinese company "Zijin" to fraudulently acquire 15% of Dathcom Mining for a fraction of its determined value as stated in the DRC Inspector General of Finance report released by the 'Inspection Générale des Finances' (IGF) headed by Jules Alingete.

The detailed accomplishments by AVZ and the results of the DRC Inspector General of Finance report were not commented on by Tom Richardson in any of his articles, to allow readers a fair and un-biased view of the Company.

We note the recent ruling against the AFR for very similar reporting where Justice Anna Katzmann found that the articles were "spiced with an account of suspicious circumstances" against a politician. And that, "The ordinary reasonable reader is prone to loose thinking and reads between the lines. And that is precisely what the respondents encouraged them to do. This article was awash with innuendo."

While we encourage the truth to be reported about ongoing events, we would expect these reports to be factual and unbiased without leading the readers to a specific view or opinion – including a fact-check and review on the sources/tip offs that journalists may receive.

Additionally, it has come to our attention that there may be a relationship between Tom Richardson and short sellers that could well be considered as colluding. The concern is that the journalist may be using their position and influence to benefit the short sellers and negatively impact the companies or assets they are reporting on. This type of behaviour raises serious ethical questions and could lead to the dissemination of false or misleading information.

Furthermore, we are concerned about the lack of disclosure of this relationship between Tom Richardson and the short sellers. Financial journalists have a duty to disclose any conflicts of interest to ensure that their reporting is impartial and trustworthy. The lack of disclosure in this case could be interpreted as an attempt to conceal the relationship and further undermine the credibility of financial journalism.

In relation to the preceding disclosure matters it has become abundantly clear through the content of Tom Richardson’s articles that there is an undeniable connection between the material he uses as reference and information published/provided/leaked by the veiled and secretive short selling entity Boatman Capital. The complete lack of disclosure regarding this connection and the serious implications contained therein are inherently disturbing.

We note that our concerns are in accordance with the following paragraphs of the Charter of Editorial Independence, as noted on the AFR’s website:

1. That Nine publicly declare a commitment to the fundamental and longstanding principle of editorial independence.
2. That Nine acknowledges that journalists, artists and photographers must record the affairs of the city, state, nation and the world fairly, fully and regardless of any commercial, political or personal interests, including those of any proprietors, shareholders or board members.
3. That the editors must at all times carry out their duties in a way that preserves the independence and integrity of the mastheads.

We respectfully request the AFR investigate and review the serious matters raised in this letter.

Regards,

Nice one Winenut.
FYI, I've forwarded this to one of the BODs of Nine. Trust me, this won't go un noticed.
Cheers.

 

[SilentOne]

1/5 Sale of 15% of #RDC to #ZIJIN in 2020, the underside of the figures! COMINIERE hires 2 firms to assess the value of the shares of #Dathcom , strangely these last two independently based on the study of $AVZ , give the same figure to the nearest decimal point,

2/5 $2,636,660. But @AvzMinerals who did the feasibility study, puts forward the figure of 10 million for 1%. La COMINIERE ignores the amount of #AVZ , with the Ok of the Ministers of the portfolio and of Mines, sells to #ZIJIN at the price of 33 million $ for the 15% against

3/5 $150 million certified by $AVZ . The $33 million should be used for the revival of COMINIERE (payment of workers, purchase of machinery, other investments...), but the money ended up in something other than the revival of the company: - $6 million was

4/5 paid to the two firms that "assessed" the price at $2.2 million. - $7 million paid to the commissioners, including $5 million to Ms. Lisette Kananga #Tshibwanwa from the office of the President of the Republic. - $2 million for the members of the administration of La Cominiere.

5/5 - The rest was squandered according to
@IgfRdc
and according to some journalists, would be in a bank. Kiki #Kienge

Please correct me if I am wrong but I didn't think that Zijin paid the full $33,000,000 and that amount is still outstanding.

 

[Charbella]

Please correct me if I am wrong but I didn't think that Zijin paid the full $33,000,000 and that amount is still outstanding.

From memory, the amount distributed via brown paper bag far exceeded $33million. I believe the IGF & NGO have receipts and voice recording of this illegal sale.

 

[Onthefm]

That is normal protocol it does not mean they are bosom buddies. At the end of the day it is all about the Rule of Law and if applied the chinese and the corrupt congolese officials will pay the price.

Your living in the same fairy land as others after 2/3 years you still don't get it.
The nige obviously as no respect from the gov in drc. And imo that's all that counts. rule of law in drc. Fuck you have to be taking the piss 2 fucking years and?