• Company is assessing the economic viability of copper at Bisie North

• Ongoing metallurgical tests target copper zones above tin mineralization

• Tin remains the main exploration focus at the project

UK-based Rome Resources is assessing the economic potential of copper mining at its Bisie North project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In an update published on December 23, 2025, the company said it is on track to finalize studies under way, at a site where tin remains, at this stage, the primary exploration target.

Over the course of the year, Rome Resources commissioned metallurgical work to assess processing methods that could allow for the economic recovery of significant copper resources located above the tin zones at Mount Agoma. The first phase of this work is nearing completion, with results expected soon, according to the company.

Published in late October 2025, Rome Resources’ maiden resource estimate highlighted the polymetallic nature of Bisie North. The estimate identified 10,600 tons of tin and 46,900 tons of copper. It is this copper potential that the company is now seeking to better develop through the metallurgical work currently in progress.

The studies involve a series of tests designed to assess the conditions under which copper extraction could be economically viable. This includes identifying the most suitable processing method and evaluating the quality of the final product.

By focusing on the copper resources at Bisie North, Rome Resources is also positioning itself in a strategic market. Copper is essential to key sectors such as electronics, renewable energy, and electric mobility and is now widely regarded as a critical metal. In this context, the International Energy Agency has warned of a potential supply shortfall by 2035, driven by demand expected to rise sharply.

Rome Resources’ ability to capitalize on these opportunities will depend on the outcome of the ongoing work, with no indication at this stage of its likelihood of success. In the meantime, the company plans to continue exploration activities, including the launch of a new drilling campaign in the first quarter of 2026.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou, Ecofin Agency