Alphamin Resources has announced the first results of a programme begun in February to explore deeper tin mineralisation at its Bisie project in North Kivu, DR Congo. Metallurgical and deep drilling is ongoing using two rigs at the Mpama North prospect. Results received for the first two holes from deep drilling down to 350 metres below surface included a significant intersection of 24.5m @ 2.03% Sn from 247m including 15.2m @ 2.94% Sn from 252.1m. Regional geochemical soil sampling and stream sediment sampling programmes are also in progress. Alphamin also reports good progress with community development initiatives and notes that there have been no interruptions to work due to security issues since February. Work on construction of an access road to the site from the main Walikale-Kisangani road has also commenced.

Alphamin published a maiden NI43-101 resource for Mpama North (previously known as Gecomines) of 4.0 million tonnes at 3.5% Sn for 141,200 tonnes of contained tin last November. This was focussed on mineralisation between 50 and 250 metres, but the best grades were found at depth. A resource upgrade is expected to be announced during the third quarter of this year.