Originally posted by Smiile
First post for me, newbie investor in shares – thought Iwould go along to the AGM.
Was really helpful to meet up with Ronin1 and others – deep respectfor you guys who, along with Deboss, asked the important questions!
Some summary comments from NF I noted whilst he gave hisaddress/presentation. Disclaimer – they are my understanding of what he saidand may can be seen out of context! DYOR. They are:
Address/AGM:
- There is only one other larger resource (withlower grades) and “we will be knocking that off soon”
- China “recognises the resource”
- “Grade is king” and “we can get above 6%concentrate” and “we can bring the grade of iron oxide down to 0.44%”
- “ICE will be a thing of the past within 5 years”
- “..the industry is falling short on output”
- “Not stepped into the feasibility study yet butdoing prep”
- Discussing OT “with various including outside China”“to put us into production”
- Still looking at “various options” re transport/roads– I took this to mean outside of what is already available (Later mentioned inpresentation that they are “investigating other routes as well”
.
- “Share price has floundered” and Nigel expects “Lithiumprocess will be up and running next year”
- Nigel is “going to Beijing next month”. As yetcautious OT and China because “If one company gets involved then the others stayaway” (Need the right deal first).
- Re alleged non-disclosed MOU. Nigel couldn’t discussbut no further info would be made available because its “not going to happen”.
Presentation (Nigel and other board members)
- Will “be a billion tons if we keep going down” (Nigel’sspeculation)
- “Possibly do a blasting trail next year”
- “Will take 3 to 4 months to pump the water out”
- The pegmatite/lithium is “really hard”
- The Governor is onboard – motivated to get roads/bridgesbuilt to assist development of a link into the south west of DRC (also saidseeing him on a regular basis)
- Likely to get a good tax concession (cant recall%)
- Simplest route is Dar es Salaam – various roadsneed to be built and two major bridges. One bridge being built now. (Thesebeing progressed via Governer).
- Barges/ferry – (got a bit lost on comments here)
- Rheet (who is a civil engineer) says that whathe has observed re road/bridge – looks like good/well built
- Current scoping study has power via diesel.Hydro power also being explored. Likely to cost “$50m to get the plant back infull working order” and “$10m to get one turbine powered up and working = 9mw)
- Re 30% DRC gov shareholding – is a free carryinginterest. Likely to assist when getting permits ect.
- There is no more drilling planned
- Have $4.4m in the bank today (diff topresentation due to payments made)
- Will have to do financing, OT and/or have “cornerstoneinvestor”.
- Definitely looking to sell tin/poss Tantalum –need metallurgic assessments
- OT – explore in the new year.
- Possible new engineer project manager (Board member?)re mine building look to appoint in Jan 2019
- Share price falls – doesn’t know why other thanappears to be
- Wont be selling any of the resource – would createcompetitor
- Election in DRC – no current oppositioncandidate atm so don’t foresee any changes. Have good relationship with themines minister.
- Main challenge going forward is the transportroute (other aspects of the project all okay).
Overall I found it aninteresting experience – got the impression that being at the AGM and voting doesn’treally change the outcome (most votes already cast and in favour). Was helpfulto hear comments as well as read information – couldn’t stay to speak directlywith board members but there was an opportunity to be able to do that.
I still have hope that AVZ will get to production and feelthat those involved are working hard towards that – lots of challenges ahead andI will remain in for the long term.
