Rome Resources has increased contained tin at its Kalayi deposit in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by 45%, strengthening the resource base of its Bisie North project as the London-listed explorer advances pilot mining and discussions with potential strategic partners.
Kalayi Resource Gains Tonnage and Grade
The updated mineral resource contains approximately 460,000 tonnes grading 1.47% tin, representing about 6,760 tonnes of contained tin at a 0.8% tin cut-off grade. Compared with the previous estimate issued in October 2025, resource tonnage has increased by 32%, while the average grade rose 10%, from 1.33% to 1.47% tin.
The simultaneous increase in tonnage and grade provides a stronger geological base for further economic assessment, particularly as resource expansion can often incorporate lower-grade material around the margins of a deposit. Consultant MSA Group has also identified a southeastern extension that could potentially double the Kalayi resource if additional drilling confirms mineralisation continuity.
Bisie North Adds Polymetallic Exposure
The wider Bisie North project also includes the Mont Agoma deposit, which contains approximately 3.16 million tonnes grading 1.45% copper, 2.72% zinc, 0.19% tin and 14.3 grams per tonne silver. The two deposits give Rome exposure to both tin and polymetallic mineralisation, broadening the project’s commodity base.
Tin has gained strategic importance because of its widespread use in electronics solder, while global production remains concentrated among a relatively limited number of countries. The DRC is already an important producer of tin and other critical minerals, although developers face challenges involving infrastructure, financing, traceability and regulatory conditions.
Pilot Mining and Strategic Partnerships
Rome is progressing pilot mining while working towards a full mining licence and continuing discussions with potential strategic partners. Such partnerships could become increasingly important as the company moves from exploration and resource definition towards more advanced development. Junior mining companies commonly require external capital, strategic investors or offtake arrangements to finance feasibility studies, permitting and mine construction.
The latest Kalayi resource provides Rome with a stronger basis for those discussions, but the updated estimate does not establish commercial viability on its own. Further work will be required to assess metallurgy, mining methods, infrastructure requirements, capital expenditure and operating costs.
Southeastern Extension Becomes Key Exploration Target
The southeastern extension identified at Kalayi is likely to remain a major exploration focus. If additional drilling confirms significant mineralisation and maintains relatively strong grades, the potential resource expansion could increase the strategic importance of Bisie North within the pipeline of non-Asian tin projects. The focus for Rome is therefore shifting from demonstrating high-grade tin at Kalayi to establishing enough scale, continuity and mineable mineralisation to support a commercially viable operation.
