Ann: Arbitration request, page-560

Also, fits in nicely with current dialog in the DRC. (may hav been posted previously) Cheers BJ

Faced with the Press on the sidelines of the Indaba Mining Forum in Cape Town, Prime Minister Sama Lukonde reaffirms the DRC's determination to position itself in the production of electric batteriesCOMMUNICATION CELL11 May 2022

On the sidelines of the Indaba Mining investing Forum held in Cape Town, South Africa, Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde gave his hand at press questions on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. The Congolese Head of Government scrutinized all relevant issues at the center of the Indaba Mining conference. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he reaffirmed loud and clear the determination of the Democratic Republic of Congo to position itself in Africa in the production of electric batteries in light of a large Lithium deposit available to the country.We have one of the largest deposits in the world in terms of lithium reserves.



That's why we want to position ourselves in the manufacture of electronic batteries, and beyond, electric vehicles. I gave the precision. We said it when we had our Business Forum that from an economic point of view, we have all the competitiveness. This means, the workforce that can be affordable. We are aware of this that we must collaborate with other African countries to achieve this. We think this is a regional issue. As soon as we reduce distances, and remain in balance with other global producers, we will be able to achieve this challenge. I remain convinced that this is a process initiated. You saw us go to Zambia.

You have seen us reaffirm this here in Indaba with other African countries, "said Prime Minister Sama Lukonde.The Head of Government also reassured potential investors about the security issue of the country, which remains under the control of the Republic's defense forces, which spare no effort to bring peace to the East and secure investments."As a Government, according to the first mission given to us by His Excellency, Mr. President of the Republic, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, it is indeed the security of the national territory, especially in the east of the country. The strategy in the fight to achieve this total security is first of course the military operations that we are conducting on the ground. But next to that, there are other strategies including infrastructure development.

This development of infrastructure will allow for more access. This will allow investors to be freer in the exploration work they have to do and access to the various mineral resources. Besides that, there are other reintegration strategies that we want to have especially people who demobilize from these armed groups. The call is being made is that in the pacification work we are doing, very quickly at the same time as we are working on infrastructure, we will secure the investments that may come and allow rapid development, "he reassured.The Head of the Warrior Government also says he has made the necessary arrangements for the artisanal exploitation of minerals and the protection of children and pregnant women in mining quarries."Crafts remains a reality in the DRC with a significant number of our Congolese compatriots who are in this sector.

It is up to us, as a Government, to bring some security to this sector. It is of course an evolving sector to be supervised until it changes to the industrial. But before we get there, we should make sure that we can work according to certain standards. First, at the level of the laws of the country, you have seen that there are structures that are supposed to help this sector to regulate crafts through certain strategic products including cobalt.

Today, with the action of the Government, we will ensure that we put in position this instrument that will accompany and give the standards with which the cooperatives that are supposed to supervise these artisans and guarantee in particular that we can ensure that we do not have children or pregnant women in the Mines and guarantee them a certain education, "committed the Prime Minister.Recall that Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde is at the head of a strong government delegation to the Indaba Mining investing Forum where he had the opportunity to present the opportunities offered by the DRC in the mining sector and in the energy transition in the face of global warming.

So true, awesome stuff for AVZ !!