The Alphamin Bisie tin mine in the DRC’s North Kivu region holds one of the largest and most significant tin deposits in the world, and is on track to produce its first output of conflict-free tin by 2019.

This is expected to double the country’s exports of tin by nearly 10 000 tons a year, at a cash cost of US$8 837 per ton produced and US$10 359 per ton sold (after duties, royalties, levies and marketing fees). An average EBITDA of US$110 million per year will be generated.

According to a Mining Review Africa report, the Alphamin operation is also expected to deliver a notable return to investors through the full range of projected tin prices. The net present value of the investment in Bisie amounts to US$402.2 million with a 49.1%. internal rate of return.

5 September 2017
Image: Gallo Images/Alamy/Dejan Jekic