Rome Resources: Expanding Drilling Operations Reveal Promising Mineralisation in DRC

• Rome Resources has completed 1,336 meters of drilling across the Bisie North Project, with 1,001m at Kalayi and 335m at Mont Agoma, utilising multiple drill rigs to accelerate exploration efforts.
• Recent drilling at Mont Agoma has revealed significant polymetallic mineralisation, including a 67-meter wide tin, copper, and zinc zone in hole MADD016A, suggesting substantial discovery potential.
• The company is expanding its drilling capacity with a fourth drill rig being mobilised to Mont Agoma, indicating an acceleration of exploration activities.
• Initial core samples have been prepared for analysis at ALS Laboratories in Johannesburg, with results expected to provide crucial data on mineralisation grades.
• Drilling results suggest increasing tin mineralisation widths in southeastern holes along strike and at depth, potentially indicating a significant resource expansion opportunity.

Rome Resources Plc (LSE:RMR) is an emerging DRC-focused tin explorer with its Bisie North Projects located in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company's portfolio comprises three main prospects: the Kalayi Prospect, Mont Agoma Prospect, and Mont Agoma Northwest prospect. As a London Stock Exchange-listed entity, Rome Resources is positioning itself as a significant player in the strategic metals sector, with a particular focus on tin and copper exploration in one of Africa's most prospective mining regions.

Recent Operational Developments

Rome Resources has made substantial progress in its current drilling campaign, completing a total of 1,336 meters of drilling across its project portfolio. The drilling efforts have been strategically distributed, with 1,001 meters at the Kalayi Prospect and 335 meters at Mont Agoma. The company has demonstrated its commitment to accelerating exploration by operating three drill rigs simultaneously across the project area, with a fourth rig being mobilised to Mont Agoma via helicopter from the Osokare base, located 40 kilometers from the project site.

Expanded Drilling Campaign

The company is implementing several technical improvements to enhance drilling efficiency:

• Additional hard quarry (HQ) drill rods are being deployed to reduce standing time at Kalayi
• Drilling operations are moving beyond the tropical weathering profile, which is expected to increase production rates
• The integration of the fourth drill rig is anticipated to significantly boost overall drilling capacity

Significant Mineralisation Discoveries

Recent drilling at Mont Agoma has yielded particularly encouraging results, highlighted by several key intersections:

MADD016A Success:

• Successfully completed to 242.5m depth
• Encountered a substantial 67m wide tin, copper, and zinc zone between 47m and 113m
• Additional copper mineralisation identified in discrete intervals extending to 220m

MADD017 Progress:

• Currently at 143m depth within the tin, copper, and zinc zone
• Multiple tin-bearing intervals identified
• Concentrated cassiterite veins between 117m and 140m
• Notable copper zone encountered between 98m and 113m

The drilling results at Mont Agoma suggest a geological setting potentially analogous to the San Rafael mine in Peru, which began as a copper operation before transitioning through a zone of combined tin and copper mineralisation. This comparison is particularly significant for investors, as it suggests the possibility of a substantial mineral system with multiple commodity opportunities.

Laboratory Analysis & Quality Control

Rome Resources has implemented a comprehensive laboratory analysis and quality control system for its exploration program. The company's sample analysis workflow begins at the COAL (Congolese Analytical Laboratory), an ALS partner facility in Lubumbashi, where initial sample preparation takes place. Following preparation, these samples are exported to ALS Laboratories in Johannesburg for detailed analysis, with the first batch of results anticipated by late October 2024. Additional sample batches from both the Mont Agoma and Kalayi prospects are currently being prepared for transport from the project site.

Quality assurance measures are rigorous throughout the process, incorporating on-site preliminary assessments using Niton XRF portable analysers for immediate feedback on mineralisation potential. The program operates under the professional oversight of qualified personnel, notably Dr. Deon Vermaakt, a registered Professional Natural Scientist, who ensures adherence to industry standards. This systematic approach to documentation and core sample analysis maintains the integrity of the exploration data, providing investors with confidence in the reliability of the reported results.

Strategic & Growth Potential

Rome Resources' current exploration program positions the company advantageously in several ways:

• Geographic Advantage: Operating in the North Kivu province of DRC, known for significant mineral deposits
• Commodity Mix: Exposure to both tin and copper, two metals with strong market fundamentals
• Infrastructure Development: Established operational base at Osokare with helicopter support capabilities
• Technical Capability: Multiple drill rigs operating simultaneously with professional geological oversight

Recent exploration results from Rome Resources indicate substantial growth potential across their project portfolio. The drilling campaign has revealed encouraging signs, particularly with increasing mineralisation widths discovered in southeastern drilling locations. The presence of multiple commodities, including tin, copper, and zinc, diversifies the company's resource potential and provides multiple pathways for value creation. Geological indicators suggest promising opportunities for resource expansion both at depth and along strike, enhancing the project's overall prospects. The company's methodical approach to exploration, utilising multiple active drilling locations simultaneously, demonstrates a strategic commitment to rapidly advancing their understanding of the resource potential while maximising efficiency in their exploration program. This systematic exploration strategy, combined with the positive initial findings, positions the company well for potential resource definition success and future development opportunities.

Conclusion

For investors considering Rome Resources, the company presents an interesting opportunity in the junior mining sector. The recent drilling results, particularly at Mont Agoma, suggest significant exploration upside with multiple commodity exposure. The company's systematic approach to exploration, combined with its technical capabilities and strategic location, positions it well for potential resource definition success. However, investors should note that as with all early-stage exploration companies, risks remain regarding final resource definition, metallurgical recovery, and eventual economic viability.

Key investment considerations include:

• Strong technical team and systematic exploration approach
• Multiple commodity exposure (tin, copper, zinc)
• Strategic location in a known mineralised region
• Expanding drilling program with increasing efficiency
• Near-term catalysts with pending laboratory results

While early-stage exploration carries inherent risks, Rome Resources' recent operational updates and preliminary findings suggest a well-managed exploration program with significant discovery potential. The company's ability to expand its drilling program and identify significant mineralisation zones positions it as an interesting prospect for investors seeking exposure to the strategic metals sector in Africa.