Rome Resources' Mobilisation Update & What Accelerated Deep Drilling Means for Tin-Focused Investors

• Rome Resources has initiated its next phase of drilling at Bisie North, moving immediately from maiden MRE delivery to deep targeting, an operational pace that signals confidence and execution capability.
• Internal geological modelling indicates tin grades strengthen with depth, mirroring patterns seen at neighboring Tier-1 deposits such as Alphamin's operations.
• The new drill programme specifically targets Mont Agoma's deeper tin zones, high-grade plunging shoots at Kalayi, and high-priority near-surface intercepts at Mont Agoma East.
• Tin remains one of the most structurally constrained critical minerals heading into 2030, with demand projected to increase by up to 40%.
• For investors, Rome's mobilisation represents a shift into value-add drilling that has potential implications for resource size, grade, and long-term economics.

Why the Mobilisation Update Matters Now

Rome Resources' rapid transition from maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) delivery on 30 October 2025 to full-scale drilling operations at Bisie North signals a deliberate shift toward value-add exploration. In a 02 December 2025 operational update, the company confirmed three rigs are actively operating, a five-week mobilisation timeline that demonstrates operational readiness.

Tin is experiencing tightening supply conditions driven by concentrated production and rising electrification demand. Rome's decision to prioritize deeper drilling targets positions the company to capitalize on grade intensification at depth, a geological characteristic common to high-grade tin systems.

Bisie North sits 8 kilometers from Alphamin Resources' Bisie Mine, recognized as the highest-grade tin operation globally. For investors evaluating Rome's mobilisation, the key question is whether deeper drilling can unlock comparable grade uplift, a dynamic that would materially alter valuation trajectory and long-term project economics.

Tin's Emerging Role as a High-Conviction Critical Mineral

Global tin production remains concentrated among relatively few major producers, with supply increasingly vulnerable to recent disruptions in Myanmar and Indonesia. The tin market's small scale means larger mines can each supply approximately 5% of global output. Tin's classification as a critical mineral in the United States, European Union, and Australia reflects its strategic importance and growing recognition that existing supply chains are insufficient to meet projected demand.

Demand Growth from Electrification & Advanced Technologies

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology identified tin in 2018 as the metal most likely to be positively impacted by electrification growth, including solar energy, electric vehicles, and advanced computing. The International Tin Association projects global demand for tin to increase by up to 40% by 2030, driven by applications in solder, semiconductors, energy storage systems, and electric vehicle circuitry.

Why High-Grade Discoveries Have Outsize Impact

Given the relatively small scale of the global tin market, a single new operation producing 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes annually represents a meaningful shift in supply-demand balance. High-grade discoveries command premium valuations because they support lower all-in sustaining costs (AISC), higher margins, and greater financial resilience during commodity price downturns.

Company Highlight: Rome Resources' Mobilisation Update Signals Shift Into Higher-Value Drilling

Rome Resources initiated its next phase of drilling immediately following maiden MRE delivery on 30 October 2025. The company's 02 December 2025 operational update confirmed three rigs are actively operating across multiple targets, marking a transition from resource definition to resource expansion with deliberate focus on deeper geological domains.

Early-stage polymetallic systems, particularly tin-copper systems, often exhibit grade uplift at depth as mineralisation transitions from copper-dominant near-surface zones to tin-enriched sulphide structures. The exploration target of 102,000 to 260,000 tonnes of contained tin provides a framework for understanding scale potential if deeper drilling confirms modelled grade improvements.

Rome's Chief Executive Officer, Paul Barrett, has been explicit about the company’s exploration focus:

"The overall program that we're doing is to explore the deeper part of the Monty prospect… As our model suggests, the deeper we go in the sequence, the better the tin."

The Geological Case: Why Depth Matters at Bisie North

Structural Analogy to Alphamin's World-Class Bisie Deposit

Alphamin's Mpama North and Mpama South deposits demonstrate clear grade intensification at depth. Bisie North shares the same geological corridor, with regional mineral systems exhibiting consistent tin zoning patterns: copper dominance near surface, with tin concentration strengthening at deeper structural levels.

This zoning is controlled by hydrothermal fluid evolution. Copper and zinc deposit at higher temperatures and shallower depths, while tin  remains mobile at lower temperatures, concentrates deeper in the system. Rome's geological model anticipates this pattern.

Mont Agoma Deeper Zones as Primary Value Drivers

The existing resource footprint at Mont Agoma has been drilled predominantly to depths of 220 to 250 meters, relatively shallow for this system type. The next phase aims to test tin-dominant deeper zones where internal modelling points to potential grade uplift.

Barrett has emphasized the geological rationale:

"It's really shear zones are the controlling factor, we’ve had in this area this broad shear zone. It has brought in the zinc, the copper, the tin, or in reverse order, the tin, the copper, and the zinc."

If confirmed, higher tin grades at depth would materially improve net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) assumptions in future economic studies.

Kalayi High-Grade Shoots Offer Additional Resource Definition Potential

Plunging high-grade tin shoots at Kalayi are analogous to Alphamin's high-value structures. Shallow intercepts already indicate thickness and continuity, and depth drilling could materially increase resource confidence categories, transitioning inferred resources to indicated status.

Strategic Targets for This Drilling Phase: What Investors Should Track

Mont Agoma's deeper tin zones represent the primary target due to expected grade uplift. The programme is testing beneath the main polymetallic system, where geological modelling suggests tin concentration increases. 

Results from this target will influence NPV and IRR sensitivity assumptions in any future Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). Higher tin grades reduce break-even costs, improve cash flow projections, and enhance financing attractiveness.

Mont Agoma East Follow-Up Resource Zone

Mont Agoma East was defined as a high-priority target following post-MRE drilling that identified near-surface tin mineralisation. Drilling density in this area could expand tonnage and improve resource confidence levels ahead of the next MRE update. This target offers near-term newsflow catalysts with clear impact on enterprise value per tonne (EV/tonne) metrics.

Barrett has noted the significance of discoveries in the northeastern extension:

"What we found with hole 30, which is down on the flank, is a very good shallow tin zone. This is either a brand new zone or it's a zone that's been faulted in a kind of repeat sequence. Either way, it's pretty significant, especially considering that this lies outside the geochemical soil tin anomaly."

The implication is that the mineralised footprint may extend beyond previously mapped geochemical boundaries, expanding exploration upside.

Kalayi: Testing High-Grade Shoots at Depth

Historic shallow intercepts at Kalayi suggest continuity, with potential for high-grading the resource. Depth extensions could materially improve average grade across the deposit. The target is potentially comparable to Alphamin's Mpama South in terms of style, geometry, and grade distribution.

Successful delineation of Kalayi's high-grade shoots would provide operational flexibility and improve resource quality metrics, factors that influence financing terms, offtake agreements, and strategic partnership opportunities.

Operational Readiness: Mobilisation, Logistics & Execution Capability

Rome mobilised helicopters, crews, and three drill rigs at Bisie North within five weeks of delivering its maiden MRE. The company operates from Kisangani, utilizing helicopter support for access to the remote project site. Rome drilled over 5,000 meters across 26 core holes ahead of the maiden MRE, demonstrating capital efficiency and execution capability.

Management & Technical Team: Why Execution Risk Is Lower Than Typical Juniors

Exploration Manager Jamie Anderson started the Bisie tin project as Exploration Manager with Alphamin, providing Rome with significant geological knowledge of the district. Chief Operating Officer Mark Gasson brings over 39 years of experience in the resource sector, including 20 years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Non-Executive Chairman Klaus Eckhof has more than 20 years of experience developing mineral deposits globally and a strong track record of delivery in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Financial Strength & Funding Visibility

Rome has raised a total of £8.2 million since its AIM listing, including a £4.2 million strategic investment in December 2024. This sizeable treasury provides drilling runway and reduces near-term dilution risk, supporting continuous multi-rig drilling into 2026.

Jurisdictional Landscape: DRC's Critical Minerals Trajectory

Recent diplomatic engagement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including agreements addressing mineral access, signals rising international focus on critical minerals supply chains. The acquisition of a majority stake in Alphamin by an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund represents a significant development in institutional capital allocation toward Democratic Republic of the Congo tin assets.

Barrett referenced this transaction as evidence of shifting risk perceptions:

"The IR acquisition of Alpha Min is showing the outside world,  when I went to see the IR guys in Abu Dhabi in December and they said, 'DRC, we're not bought into it yet.' Clearly they are now. The US getting involved as well, it's all positive for DRC minerals, critical minerals."

Localised Support & Infrastructure Access

Rome's proximity to Alphamin's operations provides potential logistical advantages. The project is located 8 kilometers from Alphamin's mine and airstrip, and Rome utilizes helicopter support for transport. Barrett noted that security conditions have stabilized:

"It has calmed down quite a lot. We're still out operating Kisangani, and our stores in Asakari. The helicopter's doing all that, Touchwood is absolutely fine."

Investor Relevance

The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains a high-risk, high-reward jurisdiction. However, grade potential offsets jurisdictional complexity for projects with Tier-1 characteristics. As ethical sourcing requirements tighten globally, transparent, institutionally backed operations may gain relative competitive advantage.

What to Watch Next Over the Next 3-6 Months

Investors should monitor deeper intercepts at Mont Agoma targeting tin-rich sulphide domains. Step-out results at Mont Agoma East will provide insight into resource expansion potential. High-grade shoot extensions at Kalayi could materially improve average resource grade. Metallurgical test results are being initiated at a Canadian laboratory, and updated geological models will offer clarity on scale potential.

The Investment Thesis for Rome Resources

• Structural tin deficits are emerging as demand is expected to grow up to 40% by 2030 with limited new Tier-1 supply coming online.
• District-scale grade potential exists at Bisie North, which shares geology with the highest-grade tin operation globally located 8 kilometers away.
• A clear grade-uplift catalyst is present as Rome targets deeper sulphide structures where tin concentration increases based on geological modelling.
• Upcoming resource expansion through drilling at Mont Agoma East and Kalayi could materially expand tonnage ahead of the next MRE update.
• Low-cost development potential is supported by higher grades at depth, which would strengthen economics in future PEA-level modelling.
• Proven management execution is demonstrated by a leadership team with direct operational experience in the Bisie tin district.
• A funded multi-rig programme enables continuous assay delivery and strong near-term newsflow, maintaining investor engagement and valuation momentum.

Why Rome's Mobilisation Marks a Meaningful Step in Its Growth Trajectory

Rome Resources' mobilisation update represents a transition from resource definition to resource expansion. The company's ability to accelerate immediately post-MRE demonstrates operational competence and strategic urgency. Rome's drilling programme is structured around the highest-value geological targets, those most likely to expand grade, tonnage, and future project economics. For mining investors, this phase represents a material de-risking step that will define the company's valuation trajectory into 2026.

TL;DR

Rome Resources has rapidly transitioned from delivering its maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in October 2025 to active drilling operations at Bisie North in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Three rigs are now targeting deeper tin zones at Mont Agoma, high-grade shoots at Kalayi, and a newly identified near-surface zone at Mont Agoma East. Internal geological modelling suggests tin grades strengthen with depth, mirroring patterns at neighboring Alphamin's Tier-1 operation located 8 kilometers away. With tin demand projected to grow up to 40% by 2030 and supply structurally constrained, Rome's drilling programme targets the geological domains most likely to enhance resource grade, tonnage, and long-term project economics ahead of an updated MRE.

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