The AVZ Minerals tenders cover infrastructure work including a process plant package, development of the Kabondo Dianda intermodal staging station and for diesel storage facilities and supply, as well as work site buildings and enterprise resource systems.

"We will have final pricings on our various tenders back in July and August and then expect to be in a position to award these contracts, pending COVID-19 travel restrictions being lifted and a financial investment decision being reached," said Nigel Ferguson, AVZ managing director.

AVZ Minerals hold 60% of the Manono project, which covers 188 square kilometres in the southern DRC. It hosts lithium pegmatites with a strike length of over 13km centred on a historical tin mining operation.

The company also advised that it has obtained preliminary membership of the ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative (iTSCi), a responsible minerals initiative of governmental authorities, companies and civil society organisations that focuses on  "3T" minerals - tin, tantalum and tungsten.

"Obtaining iTSCi preliminary membership is also a significant milestone for the company as it is viewed favourably by international financiers as part of their overall due diligence process on the Company. The Company will further invest in securing full membership over the coming months," said Ferguson.