JOHANNESBURG, March 13 (Reuters) - Alphamin Resources ( AFMJF )

said Thursday its temporarily halting its tin mine in

Democratic Republic of Congo's volatile eastern region as rebels

advance toward the operations.

The miner said activities at Bisie tin mine in Congo's North

Kivu had been halted "after insurgent militant groups have

recently advanced westward in the direction of the mine's

location in the DRC occupying the towns of Nyabiondo," the

company said in a statement.

"All operational mining personnel are being evacuated from

the mine site with only essential personnel to remain for the

care, maintenance and security of the property," Alphamin said

in the statement.