Rome Resources Plc (AIM:RMR, FRA:33R) CEO talked with Proactive about encouraging high-grade tin results from ongoing drilling at the company’s Kalayi prospect and what investors should expect next as work progresses across the wider project area.
Paul Barrett explained that recent deeper drill holes at Kalayi have continued to return strong grades, with indications that grades are improving with depth, in line with the company’s expectations and structural model. He noted that several metres of drilling had shown grades averaging around 8%, which he described as “very good” and comparable to those seen at the Mpama mine. According to Barrett, this reinforces confidence that Kalayi sits on the same geological trend and exhibits similar characteristics.
Discussing the next steps, Barrett said Rome Resources Plc is currently drilling additional deeper holes at Kalayi and is also considering a vertical hole to test the system further at depth. He told Proactive, “we are seeing as we go deeper a slight improvement in that grade, and that's exactly what we were expecting,” adding that further results are expected over the coming weeks.
Once drilling at Kalayi is completed, the company plans to move rigs to Mont Agoma. Barrett outlined that upcoming work there will focus on extending the known tin system deeper while also testing potential copper mineralisation to the north. He said recent full-element assay work has helped simplify the geological model and provided clearer guidance on where the mineralisation is sitting.
Looking ahead, Barrett highlighted that investors should watch for regular drill results as multiple holes are currently underway, with updates expected on a frequent basis if progress continues as planned.
Proactive: Paul, very good to speak with you this morning. How do these deeper Kalayi hits strengthen your confidence in the structural model?
Paul Barrett: Yes, the grades are really good in terms of what we're seeing, and as we go deeper, we are seeing a slight improvement in that grade. That's exactly what we were expecting. At the moment, we're drilling another deeper hole, and we should probably drill a vertical hole to go even deeper to chase those good grades further down.
Paul Barrett: Hopefully, we'll see good news continuing over the next couple of weeks.
Proactive: Are you seeing similarities between Kalayi and the tin systems that underpin Mpama’s scale and longevity?
Paul Barrett: We're certainly seeing the same geology and the same high grades. We’ve put out results showing a couple of metres averaging around 8%, which is very good and along the lines of what they’re seeing at the Mpama mine. So yes, I think we're on trend and seeing the same kind of thing.
Proactive: You say you're going to move on to Mont Agoma now. What's the single biggest geological question this next phase of drilling is meant to answer?
Paul Barrett: Once we’re finished at Kalayi, we have two, maybe three, holes left to drill there. Then we’ll move to Mont Agoma. There are two main aspects. One is extending the tin deposit deeper. We've done some interesting geological work using full-element assays, which gives us an indication of the chemostratigraphy.
Paul Barrett: That work has provided a very simple model, much simpler than we previously thought. We can see the correlations and where the tin is sitting, which gives us a good guide on what to target. It also gives us a very positive view of extensive copper to the north, so we'll drill one or two holes to test that, as copper is going to be an important consideration at Mont Agoma.
Proactive: What should investors be watching out for next?
Paul Barrett: We're still drilling at Kalayi, with two holes going down at the moment. We should see results around the same time next week, likely another RNS. Touch wood, it’s going quite well. We have a new drilling supervisor and a new geologist on site, and they’re doing a great job.
Paul Barrett: Assuming everything continues to go fine, we should be getting results out week after week.
Proactive: Paul, I’m sure we’ll be chatting again very soon. Thank you for your time today.