Shareholders in both companies interviewed by Bloomberg said there was still likely to be some room for a sweetened offer before a May 22 cut-off.

Manara Minerals has hired veteran dealmaker Pierre Chenard to be its first permanent chief executive officer.

The DRC government accuses Rwanda of using rebel groups to steal its natural resources.

CMOC said in March that its Tenke and Kisanfu projects in Congo will produce more than 60,000 tons of cobalt this year.

Australian-based Atlantic Lithium has taken a step toward raising capital from equity investors in the country.