Alphamin Resources (TSX-V:AFM) has agreed to supply tin concentrate from its Bisie mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to a new US smelting facility, supporting efforts to diversify Western critical mineral supply chains.
In an announcement on Monday (9 November), Alphamin said it would allocate up to 3,600 tonnes of tin — approximately one-fifth of Bisie’s annual production — to US-based Nathan Trotter & Co.
Founded in 1789, Nathan Trotter is currently the largest manufacturer of tin and solder alloys in North America.
The Pennsylvania-based company is currently building a US$65 million ($94 million) tin smelting facility, known as Tin Ridge, located in Henry County, Virginia. Initial production is targeted for 2027.
Tin is recognised as a critical mineral due to its applications in electronics, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing, including technologies supporting the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
According to Alphamin, the new facility represents a significant step towards expanding Western tin-refining capacity and reducing reliance on existing global supply chains.
The agreement also provides Alphamin with an opportunity to diversify its customer base for high-grade tin concentrate produced at Bisie.
Expanding Western tin supply chains
Alphamin’s Bisie operation is home to what the company describes as the world’s ‘highest-grade’ primary tin mine. It has an annual production capacity of approximately 20,000 tonnes of contained tin.
Following its acquisition of a majority interest by UAE-based investment group International Resource Holding, Alphamin has been seeking to expand its customer base and support the development of Western tin refining capacity.
The company said this strategy aligns with the objectives of Pax Silica, a US-led initiative launched in December 2025 to develop secure and resilient supply chains for critical minerals and technologies supporting the AI industry.
The initiative reflects broader efforts by the US and its partners to secure supplies of minerals needed for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
US tin-refining capacity grows
For Nathan Trotter, the agreement with Alphamin adds another potential source of feedstock for its upcoming Virginia smelter.
The deal follows an offtake agreement reached in September involving Huntore Australia’s Mount Garnet mining and processing operations in Far North Queensland.
Together, the agreements are expected to support Nathan Trotter’s plans to establish additional domestic tin-refining capacity.
Write to Jackson Chen at Mining.com.au
Main Image: Henry County, Virginia | Facebook
