"Alphamin Resources Corp. is pleased to announce that it is initiating a phased resumption of operations at the Company's Bisie tin mine in Walikale District, North Kivu Province, east-central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)," the company stated in a release.
The company took the decision following the withdrawal of AFC/M23 fighters from Walikale. The fighters relocated to Nyabiondo and Masisi, which are more than 130 kilometers east of the company's mine site.
'The company intends to redeploy employees as part of a plan to restart tin production in phases while continuing to monitor the security situation,' the statement added.
Alphamin had initially ceased operations on March 13 due to escalating fighting, as AFC/M23 fighters approached Walikale.
The company evacuated most of its workforce from the Bisie mines, leaving only key personnel responsible for equipment and security. Alphamin had stated it was closely monitoring political developments to determine when it would be safe to resume operations.
A week later, following AFC/M23's withdrawal from the town and surrounding areas, Alphamin announced that it would begin bringing back its employees to restart operations, continuing to monitor the security situation.
Alphamin is a major mining company primarily owned by American and Canadian shareholders, operating mineral extraction projects in several countries, particularly across Africa.
Recently, Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Minister of State for Regional Integration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed members of the Rwandan Parliament that the Canadian government's suspension of its development partnership with Rwanda was linked to its interests in the Walikale mines, specifically through Alphamin.
The company recently confirmed that it has exported 4,500 tons, with an additional 280 tons still in transit to international markets since the start of this year.
IGIHE
