DY6 Metals (ASX:DY6) progresses exploration across Central Rutile Project in Cameroon

DY6 Metals Ltd (ASX:DY6) has provided an update on exploration at its Central Rutile Project in Cameroon, where soil sampling and reconnaissance auger drilling programs are advancing across multiple licences.

The project spans 5,901 square kilometres in a region that is emerging as a globally significant rutile province.

With assay results expected shortly, the company is preparing to refine exploration targets and move towards its maiden drilling campaign. In this Q&A, Chief Executive Officer Cliff Fitzhenry outlines the progress made, the purpose of the programs, and the company’s next steps.

What has DY6 completed so far at the Central Rutile Project?

At Nsimbo and Alamba, soil sampling has been completed on a 5 kilometre by 1 kilometre grid, producing 161 samples, while an additional 33 samples have so far been collected on the Bounde licence on a 5 kilometre by 2 kilometre spacing.

A reconnaissance auger drilling program has also been finalised, consisting of 24 holes drilled for 237.9 metres at an average depth of 9.9 metres.

These holes were positioned along the northern edge of Nsimbo and Alamba, directly adjacent to Lion Rock Minerals’ Afanloum licence, where high grade heavy mineral intercepts have recently been reported.

As Cliff Fitzhenry explained,

“We have now completed soil sampling on the Nsimbo and Alamba licences using a 5 kilometre by 1 kilometre grid, which resulted in 161 samples being collected, while on the Bounde licence we collected an additional 33 samples at a 5 kilometre by 2 kilometre spacing.”

What is the purpose of the current soil sampling program?

The soil sampling campaign has been designed to pinpoint areas with higher rutile concentrations so that future drilling can be concentrated on the most prospective zones.

The initial stage of the program used a 5 kilometre by 1 kilometre grid at Nsimbo and Alamba. To accelerate progress across the broader project area, sampling was expanded to a 5 kilometre by 2 kilometre grid.

Close to 200 samples have now been collected and prepared for laboratory assay.

This process ensures that rutile anomalism at surface can be identified effectively and used to direct follow-up drilling.

Fitzhenry highlighted this purpose, stating,

“The soil sampling campaign has been designed to identify areas with higher natural rutile concentrations so that we can then focus follow up drilling programs on those specific locations, and in doing so ensure that exploration is both efficient and effective.”

When can investors expect assay results from the drilling and soil sampling?

All samples collected have been prepared in Yaounde and are being dispatched to a laboratory in South Africa for testing.

Analysis will include XRF for chemical composition and XRD for mineral assemblage determination.

Results from this auger drilling and soil sampling will be ready in 6 to 8 weeks time.

In the meantime we will are expecting our first phase reconnaissance assays and mineral assemblage results during the first week of September and this will provide the first detailed insights into rutile grades and heavy mineral assemblages across the project area.

The use of both XRF and XRD analysis through independent laboratories ensures that DY6 will receive a reliable and comprehensive dataset, which will directly guide the planning of its maiden drilling campaign.

How does the Central Rutile Project compare to other rutile projects globally?

The Central Rutile Project is located within central Cameroon, an area increasingly recognised as a major rutile province.

The project comprises 14 exploration permits covering 5,901 square kilometres and the underlying geology is mainly a kyanite-bearing mica schist, considered the primary source of rutile.

Weathering processes liberate rutile into the saprolite layer, forming in-situ deposits comparable to Sovereign Metals’ Tier 1 Kasiya deposit in Malawi, which hosts 1.8 billion tonnes at 1 percent rutile.

Historical records also show that around 15,000 tonnes of high purity rutile were mined between 1935 and 1955 from alluvial deposits near Nanga-Eboko.

More recently, Lion Rock’s Minta Project, which borders DY6’s ground, has reported heavy mineral assemblages with rutile content as high as 69.8 percent.

Fitzhenry emphasised the project’s strong positioning, saying,

“The Central Rutile Project is located within central Cameroon, a region that is increasingly being recognised as an important rutile province, and our project alone encompasses 14 exploration permits covering 5,901 square kilometres.”

What are the company’s next steps at the project?

DY6 Metals is continuing soil sampling across the remaining licences to achieve complete project coverage.

The assays currently being processed will soon provide the data required to refine the geological model and define targets for the maiden drilling campaign.

In parallel, DY6 is establishing its own heavy mineral sands laboratory in Yaounde, this facility will enable the company to process samples locally, improve turnaround times, and reduce reliance on external laboratories.

These steps will ensure a steady flow of results and allow the Central Rutile Project to advance in a structured and efficient manner.

Looking ahead

The Central Rutile Project is located within one of the most prospective rutile regions globally, and DY6 Metals is executing a systematic program of soil sampling, reconnaissance drilling, and laboratory analysis.

With results due in early September and in-country laboratory capacity being established, the company is well positioned to deliver ongoing exploration updates and to advance towards its maiden drilling campaign

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