Aim-listed tin explorer Rome Resources has revealed that results from the first two of 12 diamond drill holes at its Kalayi tin prospect, in the North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have encountered significant tin mineralisation in drill holes KBDD005 and KBDD006.

These findings are part of a broader exploration programme encompassing the Kalayi, Mont Agoma and Mont Agoma Northwest prospects.

The company reported on November 21 that, at Kalayi, drill hole KBDD005 intersected 0.6 m of 4.05% tin from a depth of 87 m, and another 0.6 m of 3.05% tin from 111.9 m. These results were downdip of previously drilled KBDD003, which had earlier reported intersections of 12 m of 1.06% tin from 40.5 m and 2.3 m of 1.92% tin from 70.7 m.

Drill hole KBDD006 recorded 6.5 m of 1.03% tin from 31.5 m, with higher-grade zones including 0.5 m of 4.25% tin from 35.5 m and 0.5 m of 3.01% tin from 37.5 m, alongside a secondary 3.5 m zone of 0.25% tin from 48.5 m.

Additional visible tin mineralisation was identified in drill holes KBDD009 to KBDD016, with significant mineralisation detected from surface to depths exceeding 150 m.

Of note, drill hole KBDD016 intercepted a substantial 10-m-wide tin zone. The findings indicate strong pinch-and-swell geometry on strike and down dip along the mineralised structure at Kalayi.

Exploration at the Mont Agoma prospect has also yielded promising results. Drill holes MADD016A and MADD017, completed to the south of previous drilling, intersected significant visible tin, copper and zinc mineralisation. These holes revealed multiple zones of mineralisation within a 50-m-wide envelope, as confirmed by Niton handheld X-ray fluorescence readings.

The mafic volcanic host unit at Mont Agoma has been found to be notably broader than the units at the Mpama North and South deposits operated by Alphamin Resources.

There are indications that tin mineralisation increases toward the south-east granite source and at depth, as observed in the southernmost drill holes.

Rome says plans are under way to test the mineralisation model at depths of up to 250 m and an additional 400 m of strike along the south-east.

Drilling operations are continuing, with 2 327 m drilled as of November 17, the company says.

At Kalayi, 1 581 m of diamond-drilled core from 11 holes have been recovered, with three drill holes remaining in the current programme. At Mont Agoma, five drill holes, including two abandoned, have been completed, totalling 746 m. Eight additional holes are planned as part of the ongoing programme.

Rome says it is also pursuing discussions with several potential strategic investors under nondisclosure agreements. While these talks are ongoing, the company emphasises that there is no guarantee of a transaction proceeding.

“These first assays from Kalayi build on the success of our last drilling campaign, and it is becoming increasingly clear that we are unlocking a simple, openpit, high-grade tin resource. The pinch-and-swell geometry suggests potential for even greater widths of high-grade mineralisation both at depth and along strike," Rome CEO Paul Barrett says.

Regarding Mont Agoma, he added that "… holes MADD016A and MADD017 look to be potential game changers for the company with 50 m of visible tin across three main zones, with grade increasing at depth. This is in addition to further high-grade copper and zinc intercepts. While we await assay results, the team's experience in the region is driving the bulk of our remaining drilling towards the granite source at depth and to the southeast."

Barrett noted that Mont Agoma’s results suggest the potential for a San Rafael-type mineral zonation discovery. He emphasised the increasing likelihood of identifying high-grade tin mineralisation as drilling progresses towards the southeast granite source.