Have we ruled out Erik Prince having anything to do with AVZ? I know this article is old but he is still sniffing around the DRC according to the second article from today. He could come to the table with financing however this is where our extra % of stock would come in handy.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/01/25/from-blackwater-to-batteries-erik-prince-congo-drc-minerals-cobalt-afghanistan-mercenaries/
https://www.africaintelligence.com/mining-sector/2020/06/16/erik-prince-wins-key-security-contract-from-chinese-mining-giant-cnmc,109237564-eve