Conflict of Interest, page-32

yes , we need to differentiate NF being right and being determined to fight for our rights and the reality of the situation . Before you all switch offs and attack me (again) - in fact do what you like as you’ll not stop me posting reality check considerations . Note the rah rah posters have gone . And we don’t have any spreadsheets predicting $7 this snd pe that . The reality is that we have done very well indeed but the Chinese have now made their move and nobody (I mean nobody ) has come to NFs aid - shame on the west etc as it means he can’t fight the reality of China nor for that matter can FT IMO. And oh do I wish this was not true - BUT it is . They have weighed in as they always planned to (and together I reckon) . Brazen as they waited to see if the west was there BUT no they ain’t . They can’t be and won’t be . The counter to NF being completely right (which he is) is the the painful fact that this now can’t move without the Chinese miner and infrastructure and ev processing investments . Period . They will wait pushing FT nearer the election , NF further into suspension till Li prices cool. Is the board fragmenting under this “critical” situation or is the board debating pragmatic hard pill swallowing in the face of reality - do we really think the Chinese made this sickening play at the 11th hour in an unplanned frenzy knowing they might be completely embarrassed with a humiliating pushback from courts and DRC??

my thought is that possession is 9 tenths of the law . The Chinese own Avz , Manono , drc and Africa . They own (in the absence of the west ) the only key to this being mined and processed . This mine would attaract possibly the west if they didn’t have to build so much civil infrastructure to get it to work . And the Belgian port to resource mindset is no longer acceptable . China has tens of thousands of companies working in Africa with 1000s of infrastructure programmes across the continent - 100s if billions are involved . FT and DRC as well as NF will need to negotiate with this reality and clearly they want li as well . Years ago , it was rumoured that Huayou bragged in China that manono was effectively Chinese owned . That’s the mindset and despite a few public admonishments and local reminders it’s business as usual . The Chinese do pay their way - it’s just that this time FT will ensure the money goes to DRC people in vastly improved %s (whilst he’s in power- he needs a second term to make an impact ) - this is the only thing that has changed ….

NF I think in heart of heart knows this . He has to negotiate and find an optimised “exit” strategy to the massively great success he has achieved for us alll. Bravo . I think he will /should be working on a “negotiation” that gets us all at 1.5+. Maybe we are all on a slow , managed , decent to such a reality . We all win and win well in the end but the true potential will fall into the massive hands that have the will , the money , the power and the clout . Not totally unfair or unreasonable when looked at through this Lense - it’s called BUSINESS and this is how it works in Africa at the moment . No ifs and buts not kicking and screaming nor anything gonna change all this in my humble opinion . Oh god , I can her and feel the body slams coming … ouch ouch ouch . I will take now 1.50+ as a total success in the light of all these realities . I urge others to start considering the same horizons.

AIMHO , GLALTH (like me)