Summary:Rome Resources launches a regulated tin mining programme at the Kalayi tin deposit in DRC’s Kivu Belt to secure a full mining licence and expand its tin mineral resource base....
Rome Resources (AIM: RMR) has formally kicked off its targeted tin mining programme at Kalayi, a high-grade cassiterite deposit within the Bisie North mineral complex in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kivu Belt. Launched to satisfy DRC mining regulatory requirements, this small-scale mining campaign is the critical stepping stone to convert its current small exploitation permit PEPM 13274 into a permanent full exploitation licence. Beyond compliance, the Kalayi tin mining programme will generate core geological, metallurgical and processing data, alongside minor revenue from saleable tin concentrate. Against a backdrop of tight global tin supply driven by AI semiconductor and renewable energy demand, the project unlocks clear upside for Rome’s African critical minerals portfolio.
Kalayi Project & Mining Programme Core Specifications
Kalayi sits 8 km north of Alphamin’s high-grade Mpama North tin mine, hosted within steep quartz-cassiterite veins tied to regional G4 tin granites of the Kibaran orogeny. The maiden mineral resource estimate records 0.33Mt at 1.36% tin for 4,470 tonnes contained tin at a 0.85% Sn cut-off grade, with drilling consistently hitting shallow high-grade zones recording up to 17% Sn via portable XRF testing.
Table 1: Rome Resources Kalayi Tin Mining Programme Key Details
| Parameter | Official Project Data |
|---|---|
| Operation scale | Regulated small-scale underground adit mining |
| Target zones | Shallow northern mineralised quartz veins |
| Core operation | Short strike adit excavation + on-site washing plant |
| Concentrate output | 60–80% grade tin cassiterite concentrate |
| Offtake channel | State-owned mineral trading facility at Walikale |
| Primary strategic goal | Full mining licence conversion |
| Secondary benefit | Raise project ownership to ~79% |
| Resource baseline | 0.33Mt @1.36% Sn inferred tin resource |
[Table Placeholder: Table 1 – Kalayi tin mining programme operational and resource metrics]
The mine plan prioritises near-surface, well-exposed mineralisation identified in historic trenching work. The company will construct a compact gravity washing plant to separate cassiterite from gangue rock, eliminating reliance on third-party processing and delivering consistent concentrate for regional trade. All operational data, including recovery rates, grade variability and vein continuity, will feed into an updated mineral resource estimate scheduled for late 2026.
Regulatory & Ownership Strategic Logic
The launch of the Kalayi tin mining programme fulfils a mandatory condition under DRC mining law to advance permit status. Once regulators validate continuous compliant small-scale production, Rome Resources can complete the acquisition of the remaining 27.5% equity stake in Kalayi Tin SARL, lifting its holding from current levels to approximately 79%.
Higher ownership eliminates complex local partner governance structures, simplifies project financing discussions and drastically improves the asset’s appeal to global tin smelters and strategic mining investors. Company management emphasises that concentrate sales revenue remains secondary; the core value lies in regulatory de-risking and unlocking the project’s full geological upside for long-term development.
Geological & Market Value of Kalayi Tin Deposit
The Kivu Belt ranks among Africa’s most prolific tin metallogenic provinces, yet many vein systems remain underexplored at depth. Drilling campaigns completed ahead of mining confirmed mineralisation widens and improves at depth, mirroring the geological model of neighbouring world-class Mpama North mine. Multiple drill intercepts returned wide high-grade zones including 11m at 3.43% Sn and discrete intervals exceeding 5% tin, proving Kalayi’s capacity to support future expanded large-scale mining.
Global tin fundamentals strongly favour new DRC supply sources. Tin acts as an irreplaceable solder metal for AI servers, EV electronics and photovoltaic equipment, while major supply regions including Myanmar and Indonesia face persistent production restrictions. New compliant, industrialised tin projects like Kalayi fill a widening supply deficit for international manufacturers prioritising traceable, conflict-free critical mineral feedstock.
Conclusion
[Image Placeholder 2: Cassiterite tin mineralised vein sample from Kalayi prospect | Figure 2 – High-grade tin quartz vein core sample]Rome Resources’ launch of the tin mining programme at Kalayi marks a defining operational milestone for its DRC critical minerals portfolio. This regulated small-scale operation delivers dual strategic wins: clearing the regulatory path to secure a full mining licence and boost ownership to 79%, while generating vital metallurgical data to upgrade Kalayi’s existing tin resource inventory. Located within the mineral-rich Bisie North district amid rising global tin demand for digital and clean energy hardware, the Kalayi project positions Rome Resources as a credible emerging African tin producer. Industry participants will closely track assay data, licence progress and concentrate production updates as the mining campaign advances through 2026.
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