$AVZ Minerals Limited (AVZ or Company) provides the following update to its shareholders. Interim Arbitration Funding AVZ has entered into a Funding Agreement with Mr Pei Zhenhua to advance up to US$ 5 million to AVZ, with the first tranche of US$ 2 million already received. The funds are subject to agreed security arrangements and may be used for the purpose of costs incurred in prosecuting the arbitration proceedings before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington (ICSID) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Tribunals. Settlement Discussions AVZ's preferred outcome continues to be a negotiated resolution of the arbitration proceedings which involves the divestment of AVZ's interest in the Manono Project. Any settlement must deliver a reasonable return to AVZ's shareholders and engagement with the various stakeholders is continuing but discussions are protracted due to the geopolitical complexity of the situation. If a settlement cannot be achieved, AVZ, CATH, Mr Pei and DLA Piper are aligned in their commitment to prosecute the arbitration proceedings to their conclusion. There have been no developments in the proceedings which have a material impact on AVZ's prospects of success in the proceedings, including by reason of the suspensions. The current status of the proceedings is summarised below. Title Dispute (ICSID) It will be recalled that AVZ, through its subsidiaries AVZ International Pty Ltd (AVZI) and Green Lithium Holdings Pte Ltd (GLH), together with Dathcom Mining SA (Dathcom), previously commenced arbitration proceedings (ICSID Case No. ARB/23/20) against the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) before ICSID  in relation to the DRC’s failure to procure the grant of an exploitation permit (PE) to Dathcom in respect of the land the subject of PR 13359. AVZ previously obtained a suspension of the ICSID proceedings to facilitate settlement discussions and reduce expenditure. The suspension has been lifted and the arbitration proceedings are now progressing with the DRC pursuing an amended application for security for costs whilst AVZ is pursuing a new application for provisional measures to preserve the status quo.   The Tribunal and the Parties have not yet finalised a new procedural timetable for the merits. Dathcom JV Dispute (ICC) It will be recalled that AVZ, through its subsidiary AVZI, is party to two arbitration proceedings before the ICC, one was brought against La Congolaise d’Exploitation Minière (Cominière), and one which was brought against AVZ by Cominière, Jin Cheng Mining Company (Jin Cheng), a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Limited (Zijin), in relation to alleged breaches of the shareholders’ obligations under the Dathcom joint venture agreement dated 27 January 2017 as amended (Dathcom JVA), and the purported termination of the Dathcom JVA by Cominière which resulted in the transfer of PR 13359 to Cominière and the application to wind-up Dathcom by Dathomir Mining Resources SARLU (Dathomir). AVZ previously obtained a suspension of the ICC case in which it is the claimant, to facilitate settlement discussions and reduce expenditure. The ICC Tribunal has now lifted the suspension and the arbitration proceedings are progressing. Cominière is pursuing an amended application for security for costs. The parties submissions on the merits will follow between October 2026 and April 2027, with a hearing scheduled to be held on 24-28 May 2027. Dathomir Dispute (ICC) It will be recalled that AVZ, through its subsidiary AVZI, previously commenced two ICC arbitration proceedings against Dathomir in relation to Dathomir’s attempts to challenge the sale to AVZI of its 15% shareholding in Dathcom. It will also be recalled that AVZ was successful in the first ICC proceedings which confirmed that upon exercise of the option, AVZI acquired 10% of the shares in Dathcom pursuant to the 2020 share purchase agreement. The second ICC proceedings in respect of ./