DRC Revokes AVZ Minerals’ 79-Block Lithium Exploration Permit Amid Ongoing Regulatory Disputes
DRC Cancels AVZ Minerals’ Lithium Permit in Manono Extension Project, Highlighting Rising Regulatory Risks for Foreign Miners
The Democratic Republic of Congo has revoked a 79-block lithium exploration permit held by the Congolese subsidiary of Australian mining firm AVZ Minerals.
The Mining Registry (CAMI) issued the forfeiture order on March 19, 2026, citing non-payment of annual surface fees for permit PR 4029, located in the Manono territory of Tanganyika province. Under Congolese mining law, AVZ has 30 days to appeal the decision.
PR 4029 is part of AVZ’s Manono Extension Project, which spans roughly 242 km² around the main Manono lithium deposit.
The extension was intended to explore new mineralized zones southwest and northeast of the core deposit. AVZ has not publicly commented on the revocation or its plans to challenge the ruling.
A Years-Long Dispute Intensifies
This latest cancellation adds a new chapter to a protracted dispute over AVZ’s Manono projects.
The company’s original main Manono permit was revoked in 2023 by the DRC Mines Ministry for insufficient progress and awarded to a unit of Chinese group Zijin Mining.
AVZ challenged that earlier decision through the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), temporarily suspending proceedings in May 2025 following U.S. mediation efforts.
The 2026 cancellation of PR 4029, covering 79 exploration blocks, intensifies regulatory pressure on AVZ and underscores the ongoing risks faced by foreign miners in the DRC amid tighter enforcement and resource nationalism policies.
Rising Regulatory Pressure in Africa
The permit revocation reflects a broader African trend where governments, including in the DRC, Ghana, and Zambia, are strengthening mining regulations and promoting local participation in strategic mineral projects.
Measures include contract renegotiations, local content requirements, and permit cancellations for non-compliance.
For foreign mining companies, these policies increase operational risks, compliance costs, and potential legal disputes, which can delay project development and raise investment uncertainties.
Manono Lithium Development Continues
Despite the regulatory challenges, the Manono project is progressing under Manono Lithium SAS, a joint venture between Zijin Mining and the state-owned Cominière. The first phase, with an investment nearing $1 billion, is expected to be commissioned by June 2026, highlighting the strategic importance of the Manono deposit for the global battery supply chain.
