Alphamin Allocates Tin Supply to US Refiner
Alphamin Resources will supply up to 3,600 tonnes of contained tin per year from its Bisie mine to Nathan Trotter & Co. for two years.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Manufacturing
Alphamin Resources Corp. has agreed to allocate a portion of tin concentrate from its Bisie mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Nathan Trotter & Co., Inc., a US-based tin refiner. The allocation covers up to 3,600 tonnes of contained tin per annum for an initial period of two years.
Why it matters
The deal ties a major Congolese tin source to new US refining capacity, as Nathan Trotter completes its smelting facility. It aligns with the goals of Pax Silica, a US-led initiative launched in December 2025 to build western supply chains.
The allocation of up to 3,600 tonnes of contained tin per year equals just under 20% of Bisie's targeted production, out of a current output of about 20,000 tonnes annually. The financial terms and post-two-year volumes have not been disclosed.
The players
Alphamin Resources Corp.
Alphamin Resources is the operator of the Bisie tin mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is recognized as the world's highest-grade primary tin mine.
Nathan Trotter & Co., Inc.
Nathan Trotter & Co. is a US-based tin refiner with a history dating to 1789 that is building a new smelting facility in the United States.
The details
Alphamin agreed to supply tin concentrate from Bisie, described as the world's highest-grade primary tin mine, to Nathan Trotter & Co. Nathan Trotter, founded in 1789, is completing construction of its US smelting facility, which is targeting first production in 2027.
Timeline
December 2025: The Pax Silica initiative was launched.
November 9, 2026: Alphamin announced the tin concentrate allocation agreement.
2027: Targeted first production at the Nathan Trotter smelter.
Market Landscape
The agreement reflects a broader push by the United States to reduce reliance on Asian smelting for critical minerals through initiatives such as Pax Silica, launched in December 2025. Alphamin, which was acquired by a majority interest from UAE-based International Resource Holding, is diversifying its customer base as Western refining capacity develops.
For manufacturers that depend on tin for solder, plating, and electronics, new US smelting capacity could over time diversify where refined tin comes from. The near-term effect on prices or availability for everyday buyers is not addressed in the source.
The takeaway
Supply chain diversification for critical minerals depends on linking mine output to new refining capacity, not just extraction. Tracking whether Nathan Trotter meets its 2027 production target will show how quickly that shift can happen.
What happens next
Nathan Trotter & Co.'s smelting facility is targeting first production in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Manufacturing coverage for context on how raw material supply chains are being rebuilt.
