Rome Resources Plc (AIM:RMR) has temporarily paused drilling at its Bisie North tin and copper project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as it prepares a maiden mineral resource estimate for two key prospects.
The company has now completed 2,181 metres of drilling at Mont Agoma and 2,264 metres at Kalayi. The most recent holes, MADD024 and MADD026, intersected significant tin and copper mineralisation, with notable tin zones of 27 metres and 25 metres, respectively.
Drill samples have been processed on-site and are now being sent to Johannesburg for analysis. Results are expected before the end of April, at which point Rome will publish its first inferred mineral resource estimate for both targets.
The pause in drilling will also allow contractors to source spare parts and equipment after the closure of Goma airport disrupted supply chains. Rome said there would be no additional drilling costs during this period, as crews are paid on a per-metre basis.
The company is also monitoring the security situation in the region and welcomed reports that Angola is brokering peace talks between the DRC government and M23 rebels.
CEO Paul Barrett said: "We are pleased to have gathered significant data from our two most recent drill holes at Mont Agoma which strongly support our geological model.
"Following the evacuation of Alphamin's Bisie mine site and their kind offer of assistance, we saw this as an opportune time to strategically pause operations enabling our service providers to carry out their required maintenance.
"We are pleased to work with our service providers to ensure the best use of the company's funds during this time of reduced activity, placing the company in a much stronger position for when we commence drilling."