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‼️‼️BREAKING NEWS $AVZ ‼️‼️ The Trump administration is poised to insist control of a massive lithium deposit be handed back to an Australian company as it advances its critical minerals interests in the resource-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo. Any US intervention on behalf of AVZ Minerals - an ASX company once valued at $4.6bn but with a troubled history - over the Manono lithium deposit risks provoking a backlash from China given one of its biggest miners is developing the DRC project. The Trump administration is eyeing a critical minerals partnership with the African nation that is the source of most of the world's If AVZ regains control of Manono, it is likely to be on-sold to a US entity, based on talks that have played out in Washington in recent days. Such a deal would represent a great escape for AVZ and boost non- China investment. The plan, if realised, risks inflaming tensions with China as the US shows a willingness to back Australian companies and muscle in on Beijing's near stranglehold on critical minerals supply chains. Chinese mining giant Zijin is targeting first production of lithium from Manono from early in 2026 despite AVZ's attempts to regain control. AVZ had also worked closely with China's CATL, the world's biggest electric vehicle battery manufacturer, which as recently as January provided $20m in funding to the Australian company. US and DRC officials have discussed the ownership of Manono and AVZ's claims to the project, according to a source who attended the talks but is not authorised to speak publicly. The Australian understands both White House officials and the DRC want Manono to end up in US hands via AVZ. The Trump administration is alert to the advantage Australian companies can offer in its critical minerals quest through their mining know-how and resource assets. Manono boasts a 842 million tonne resource at 1.61 per cent lithium oxide and is split into two geographically distinct northern and southern deposits. The southern part alone holds a 669 million tonne The company refused to comment when contacted by The Australian. AVZ's market capitalisation got to $4.6bn in 2022 on high hopes for Manono but fell from grace as it lost control of the massive hard rock deposit. The company was suspended from trading on the ASX for two years before being delisted in May 2024, trapping equity holders in a stock that was arguably worthless. A man sifts through the smouldering remains of boxes and materials left behind by looters. Picture: AFP Its West Perth offices were raided by Federal Police investigating bribery allegations - which AVZ denies - in December. More than 21,000 shareholders were affected. Zijin operates copper, gold, lithium and zinc mines around the world, including in Australia. It has invested heavily in developing Manono through a joint venture with the DRC and was granted a full mining… https://t.co/qVOlAQ3Dwh