Rome Resources Plc (AIM:RMR) has unveiled its first mineral resource estimate for its Bisie North project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, confirming what it describes as a large, multi-metallic tin, copper and zinc system across its Mont Agoma and Kalayi prospects.
The estimate, prepared by consultants The MSA Group, marks the company’s first formal quantification of resources within the licence area. It points to combined inferred resources of 10,600 tonnes of tin, 46,900 tonnes of copper, 86,200 tonnes of zinc and 1.46 million ounces of silver.
At Mont Agoma, drilling identified a broad polymetallic zone with strong copper near the surface and tin grades increasing at depth, a pattern seen in nearby deposits such as Alphamin’s Bisie mine, one of the world’s highest-grade tin operations.
The Kalayi prospect showed high-grade, near-surface tin mineralisation that remains open at depth.
Rome said the maiden estimate covers only a small portion of the overall licence area, with drilling to date reaching depths of just 220 to 250 metres.
The company’s geologists believe deeper drilling could outline an additional 102,000 to 260,000 tonnes of contained tin, suggesting considerable scope for expansion.
Paul Barrett, chief executive, said: “This maiden resource estimate marks a major milestone for Rome Resources and a significant validation of the scale and multi-metallic potential of the Bisie North Project.
"The results suggest that we are only beginning to define a very substantial tin and copper system, with mineralisation remaining open at depth and along strike.”
He added that the company plans to follow up with deeper drilling at Mont Agoma and expand testing of nearby targets, including the newly identified Mont Agoma East zone, where a 23-metre interval of high-grade tin was found.
Following the publication of the resource, Rome said it would engage potential strategic partners to help fund the next stage of development.
It is also in early discussions to increase its ownership in the exploration permits covering Bisie North, though no binding agreements have yet been reached.
The Bisie North project sits along the same geological trend as Alphamin’s producing Bisie mine in the DRC’s North Kivu province, an area regarded as one of the most promising tin belts in the world.