I’ve been thinking about what CATH could do in the current situation.
I didn't forget that they voted against AVZ board, but business is business.
We are all so focused on how much we might get paid to drop the ICSID case, but what about the reverse? What if we get paid to keep ICSID open? With the “minerals for security” deal soon to be signed, it’s looking like Roche Dure can only go to an American company and KoBold seems to be the chosen one. So, if I were Mr. Pei from CATH, what would I do?
What if CATH offers to AVZ more money than KoBold—with the condition that ICSID continues until CATH’s interests are fully secured? How would that for CATH be any different from AVZ’s current position? It’s not—except CATH would have around $6 billion USD less
We’d get paid by CATH, but keep pushing ICSID until CATH is satisfied. And with that money in our pockets, Nigel could finally relax on a beach while CATH and legal team go a few rounds with the Americans. CATH’s conditions might be something like:
1. If the mining licence is granted, AVZ sells the project to CATH for $1.
2. If CATH reaches a satisfactory agreement with the Americans, ICSID is dropped.
Mr. Pei could throw in a few more clauses, of course. The point is—KoBold hasn’t resolved the disputes and is actually operating in defiance of ICSID. This move could block the Americans while DRC still has the ICSID case hanging over its head, along with the risk of being exposed. Can a U.S. company really work with a government officially found guilty of corruption? We’re no longer selling a project—we’re potentially getting paid to drop ICSID. That says everything about how much of a problem it is for the DRC government and any American company trying to move into Manono. Something tells me CATH isn’t going to walk away quietly if their interests are sidelined. Maybe I should send Mr. Pei an email
I haven’t ordered Chinese food since this whole suspension saga began, but if we finally get what we deserve—I just might. Of course, the best outcome is KoBold paying a fair price. I just can’t help but imagining a scenario where some of us are on a beach, millionaires at last, while CATH, KoBold, the DRC government, and ZIJIN are fighting at ICSID. Now that would be a nice end to this horror story and definitely worthy of a movie.
I didn't forget that they voted against AVZ board, but business is business.
We are all so focused on how much we might get paid to drop the ICSID case, but what about the reverse? What if we get paid to keep ICSID open? With the “minerals for security” deal soon to be signed, it’s looking like Roche Dure can only go to an American company and KoBold seems to be the chosen one. So, if I were Mr. Pei from CATH, what would I do?
What if CATH offers to AVZ more money than KoBold—with the condition that ICSID continues until CATH’s interests are fully secured? How would that for CATH be any different from AVZ’s current position? It’s not—except CATH would have around $6 billion USD less

1. If the mining licence is granted, AVZ sells the project to CATH for $1.
2. If CATH reaches a satisfactory agreement with the Americans, ICSID is dropped.
Mr. Pei could throw in a few more clauses, of course. The point is—KoBold hasn’t resolved the disputes and is actually operating in defiance of ICSID. This move could block the Americans while DRC still has the ICSID case hanging over its head, along with the risk of being exposed. Can a U.S. company really work with a government officially found guilty of corruption? We’re no longer selling a project—we’re potentially getting paid to drop ICSID. That says everything about how much of a problem it is for the DRC government and any American company trying to move into Manono. Something tells me CATH isn’t going to walk away quietly if their interests are sidelined. Maybe I should send Mr. Pei an email
