AVZ Minerals Ltd’s (ASX:AVZ) (OTCMKTS:AZZVF) (FRA:3A2) subsidiary Nyuki Logistics Company SASU has secured a renewable 25-year lease on a 1,227-hectare site around 4 kilometres southeast of the regional town of Kabondo Dianda in the DRC.
The site will host the Kabondo Dianda Intermodal Staging Station, which will form a vital part of AVZ’s logistics infrastructure plan to export finished products produced from the Manono Lithium and Tin Operation (MLTO) for export to global markets.
“Milestone in Manono logistics plan”
AVZ managing director Nigel Ferguson said: “Signing the agreement to lease industrial land at Kabondo Dianda is another important milestone in the company’s logistics plan, which will see MLTO’s finished products, exported through the ports of Lobito in Angola and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
“Our Nyuki Logistics team has visited Kabondo Dianda several times to conduct community meetings with key local stakeholders.
“These meetings have resulted in successful ESIA’s being approved for the rehabilitation of the road from Manono, the proposed new ferry crossing site, material handling site and depot for both finished products being exported to global markets and in-bound consumables and materials, bound for MLTO and the greater community.”
Proposed Phase 1 SEZ map showing the haulage route for SC6 from Manono to Kabondo Dianda.
Socio-economic development
Ferguson said the company was also awarded a 25-year renewable rental agreement for industrial land by the Haut-Lomami Lands Office.
He said: “Our team met with the caretaker Governor of Haut-Lomami and his advisors last week, to discuss the project, who are excited by the many benefits our collaboration will bring to the town – from improvements to provincial infrastructure and employment opportunities for local people.”
Meetings were also held with local indigenous chiefs to further discuss their people’s specific needs and involvement in the project.
Ferguson said: “Investment in and around the area of Kabonda Dianda, has been limited in recent times and the improved rail and road access, should assist to empower the community to realise sustained economic development opportunities, improving their social well-being.”