AVZ Minerals resumes arbitration proceedings
AVZ Minerals has resumed arbitration proceedings against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after a temporary suspension period expired without progress toward settlement discussions.
The Australian mining firm said the DRC government failed to engage during the ICSID-imposed pause, which lasted until 23 June 2025. The suspension was initially encouraged by the U.S. government to facilitate a potential resolution regarding AVZ’s claims to the vast Manono lithium deposit.
Manono project
AVZ has now filed a new application with the ICSID Tribunal, citing DRC’s non-compliance with orders from Procedural Order No. 3. The company maintains its position as the legal majority stakeholder in the Manono project through its interest in Dathcom Mining SA, and continues to assert its rights under permit PR13359, granted by the DRC’s Ministry of Mines in May 2022.
Parallel arbitration proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) also remain active. In a recent decision, the ICC tribunal rejected a request by AVZ’s former partner, La Congolaise d’Exploitation Minière (Cominière), to bifurcate proceedings. This follows a March 2025 ruling ordering Cominière to pay €39.1 million plus interest to AVZ for violating emergency orders linked to the joint venture agreement.
Despite the legal escalation, AVZ reiterated its willingness to engage in good-faith discussions, while pursuing remedies through international arbitration. The Manono lithium project is considered one of the world’s largest untapped hard rock lithium resources, central to the global energy transition.
