Recent presentations at the 2015 ITRI China International Tin Forum in Shanghai by Mining Mineral Resources (MMR) and TSX-V listed Alphamin Resources Corp., who both have active tin projects in DR Congo, have highlighted the potential for the ongoing formalisation of the country’s tin mining sector.

Mining Mineral Resources possesses approvals for prospect exploration and mining in Katanga province, DRC and is in full compliance with the iTSCi programme. MMR has undertaken grassroots exploration through to project construction and production since 2009. It was originally a metals trading company but has made the transition into a full mine and processing plant operator. Throughout 2014 and 2015 MMR has been constructing a processing plant and dam at its Kanuka site in the DRC. The company is targeting annual tin production of at least 10,000 tonnes by 2018.

Alphamin Resources is actively developing the Bisie tin project in North Kivu, DRC, and aims to be in production by 2017. The project boasts an exceptional high grade indicated and inferred resource of 2.65 Mt of ore at 4.5% tin. The project could potentially produce some 10,000 tonnes of tin annually from an underground mine should it become fully realised. The project area is well known for the significant tin production from artisanal mining activity prevalent prior to the Dodd Frank Regulation in 2010.

Each company has a different approach to project development, MMR’s current strategy is to acquire and evaluate concessions and then offer them to third parties for further development. Conversely, Alphamin Resources aims to be involved in all stages of development of the Bisie project through exploration and production.