AJN is planning to raise C$20 million, after which it will issue 60% of its post-raising capital to state-owned SOKIMO as consideration for the rights.

The rights to be acquired include a 10% free-carried stake in Kibali, 30% of the Zani-Kodo project, 35% of Amani Gold's Giro gold project, 35% of the Wanga project, 30% of the Nizi project, and 30% of Kibali South.

Kibali produced a record 814,027 ounces of gold in 2019, smashing its full-year guidance of 750,000oz.

AJN had previously been focused on the Salt Lake lithium project in Nevada.

Well-known resources entrepreneur Klaus Eckhof is president and CEO of AJN, and will receive a 3.5% finders' fee.

His daughter Sheena Eckhof is also on the board along with Mark Gasson (also chief financial officer), and AVZ Minerals executive director Nigel Ferguson.

Ferguson will resign once the deal is complete to make way for two SOKIMO nominees.

"With our management's track record in the DRC, we believe that we are close to delivering a portfolio of gold projects which underpin the making of a significant new gold player in DRC," Klaus Eckhof said.

"We believe that not only do the six gold projects contain excellent potential for further gold mineralisation, they also have the potential to alleviate poverty in the area though job creation within the local community. We note that the adjacent Kibali gold project employs 1,400 DRC nationals and 2,800 DRC contractors and that $38 million was spent on local contractors during Q1, 2019."

AJN had $1.2 million cash at the end of October and will raise an interim $2 million at 40c per share for working capital, as well as $1.2 million via a convertible debenture financing.

Due diligence by both parties is expected to be completed within 90 days.

Shares in AJN closed 2019 at 18c on the Canadian Securities Exchange, and hit $1.20 on Friday.

ASX-listed DRC gold play Okapi Resources, which features Ferguson as MD, holds 4% of AJN. Its stock jumped 20% on Friday but remained unchanged at A9c today.