Ann: New legal action to affirm interests in the Manono Project, page-147

I understand in theory the need for it given the battles that are being fought, but I'm of the opinion that our legal battles against Cominiere and Dathomir, in addition to that launched against us by Zijin/JC, are playing into the hands of those who want to seize the project. It's been fairly clear I feel since the failed effort to slide their way into the northern tenement area that the Chinese changed up their game plan, playing the delay delay delay move whilst whispering in the right ears that AVZ is the only blocker to the development of a globally strategic resource. Given that the MoM pointed towards the strangling of the project due to non harmonious relations of its stakeholders as the reason to cancel our licence, I wonder whether entrenching that disharmony for a minimum period of years was in our best interests. Surely that's what the bad guys want - there is absolutely no way in my mind that the DRC government let this drag on for the 2+ years we would need to clear all these ICC cases. I'm also not confident that the ML delivery is a separate thing outside of the ownership disputes, given what's been said by those involved in the issuance of the licence.

I am hoping that the ICC cases represent a negotiating tactic to push towards a settlement, because my feeling - especially after latest Cominiere push towards cancellation of the JVA - is that the Government will have all the ammunition they really need to strip us and reassign elsewhere. Even if we know that's all bullshit. Seeking 10b damages at the ICC down the line is also a farce.

Yes it will be hard letting the rats back on the sinking ship, and does open up other risks down the line, but I am of the current opinion that we are being outplayed and are losing this battle. Get us to a negotiated outcome Nige!

I do hope however to be proven wrong...