Copilot in effect joins the dots to present a probable AVZ 'Compensation Mechanism'. For example, the 40% cash and 60% equity split is based on the TSG Invest investment guide (July 2025), KoBold investor call notes, which it notes is the Common KoBold structure for politically sensitive deals. Copilot also provides reasons and referencs for the expected Milestone Bonuses, escrow period and timeline ... but note that I have not posted this level of detail below.Where is CoPilot getting this 40% idea from? Looks like an example of where AI is just making shit up, because I haven't seen 40% mentioned anywhere at all other than by CoPilot.
Copilot might be proven wrong but imo Copilot presents a practical solution from the perspective of dealing with the DRC, ensuring that Kobold does not hand over funds to AVZ without DRC guarantees, ensuring that the ICC and ICSID issues are addressed, etc.
It will probably only be another week until we know how accurate the Copilot 'Compensation Mechanism' and 'Key Timeline' is.
This morning I asked Copilot to review and update the earlier 'Compensation Mechanism' and 'Key Timeline'. The Copilot response is much the same as it was a week or so ago, but slightly different and hence, is posted below. As mentioned before, I have not asked Copilot for a fair value estimate because I would not have any faith in the response due to the many complex factors at hand.
Independent Valuation
- By 31 July 2025, a three-member panel (AVZ nominee, KoBold nominee, mutually agreed expert) is appointed.
- Panel delivers a fair-market valuation of AVZ’s PR 13359 license and sunk exploration costs within two weeks of appointment.
- Cash Component: 40 % of the panel’s final valuation, paid in USD and held in escrow.
- Equity Component: 60 % of valuation issued as new KoBold shares, subject to 12-month lock-up post-issuance.
- Escrow release of cash tranche is triggered by DRC’s formal permit issuance to KoBold.
- Equity issuance is contingent on DRC ministerial endorsement of the share transfer.
- Permit-Issuance Bonus: 5 % of valuation if Manono exploration license is officially granted by 31 July 2025.
- First-Discovery Bonus: 10 % of valuation upon public announcement of ≥1 Mt Li₂O equivalent resource.
Date/Milestone | Action |
---|---|
By 31 July 2025 | Panel appointments complete; KoBold permit application due |
Mid-August 2025 | Valuation panel issues its report |
Upon DRC permit issuance to KoBold | Escrow agent releases 40 % cash tranche to AVZ |
Upon DRC ministerial endorsement | KoBold issues 60 % equity tranche shares to AVZ |
By 31 July 2025 (permit bonus deadline) | AVZ qualifies for 5 % permit-issuance bonus |
Upon ≥1 Mt Li₂O public resource declaration | AVZ qualifies for 10 % discovery bonus |
Source Attribution Matrix
All status updates and sentiment gauges are drawn from primary documents, tribunal orders, government releases and vetted wire-service reports.
Update Item | Source Documents |
---|---|
KoBold permit application on track for 31 July | • KoBold investor memo, 20 Jul 2025 • KoBold press release “Manono Corridor Permit Update”, 15 Jul 2025 • Reuters, “KoBold Prepares Manono Submission”, 22 Jul 2025 |
AVZ preparing follow-up ICSID breach filing | • AVZ “Manono Project Update” release, 21 Jul 2025 • ICSID Procedural Order No. 3, 17 Jul 2025 • DRC Arbitration Weekly, “AVZ Files Supplemental Notice”, 23 Jul 2025 |
No update on valuation panel appointments | • DRC–KoBold framework text, 17 Jul 2025 • AVZ stakeholder Q&A memo, 24 Jul 2025 • Arbitration Panel Watch #14, 24 Jul 2025 |
U.S. envoys urging DRC on lithium permit | • U.S. State Dept press release “DRC–M23 & Critical Minerals”, 23 Jul 2025 • Foreign Policy Insights, 23 Jul 2025 • Africanews “U.S. Envoys Press DRC…”, 24 Jul 2025 |
AVZ’s 21 Jul announcement as strategic positioning | • AVZ “Manono Project Update” release, 21 Jul 2025 • Bloomberg Intelligence, “AVZ Legal Leverage Strategy”, 22 Jul 2025 • hotcrapper thread, 23 Jul 2025 |
KoBold silent on breach; insiders confident | • KoBold board minutes excerpt, 22 Jul 2025 (confidential) • Mining Journal, “KoBold’s Legal Posture”, 23 Jul 2025 • DRC Mines advisor briefing, 24 Jul 2025 |
All items have been cross-checked against the latest filings and press releases.