AVZ Contests KoBold Over Manono Lithium Project in DRC
On 21 July 2025, Australia-based AVZ Minerals issued a communique contested the deal between US-based KoBold Metals with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo over the Manono lithium and tin project. AVZ contends that the deal cannot stand as the Manono mine is still under arbitration at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
In the dispute, AVZ Minerals’ subsidiary AVZ International and Green Lithium Holdings (together referred as AVZ Parties) are engaged in a legal battle in relation to the exploitation permit over #Manono mine. In 2023, the DRC Ministry of Mines revoked the rights of AVZ over Manono due to lack of material progress, and resold them to China-based Zijin Mining. AVZ then seized the #ICSID which issued interim orders in January 2024, requiring DRC to recognize the AVZ Parties as the rightful license holder.
The Manono Mine is believe to hold one of the largest #lithium mines in the world with an estimated reserves of nearly one billion tonnes. It is not hard to imagine that it would attract some interest and would become the acquisition target of several mining concerns.
In the latest twist of events, Kobold now avers that the #Manono Mine deal is part of the peace deal between DRC and Rwanda brokered by US President Trump. In May 2025, Kobold even signed a framework agreement to the tune of USD one billion to compensate AVZ and to be in a position to develop the mine.
KoBold is no ordinary American firm because it counts billionaires Bezos and Gates as its financiers. KoBold is also one of the few mining companies at the cutting-edge of technology by applying #AI technologies to mining. Another US outfit, run by former special forces team members, has set its sights on acquiring Chemaf Resources which holds major cobalt and cobalt assets in DRC.
