DY6 Metals (ASX:DY6) secures Yaoundé West Project, cementing dominant position in Cameroon’s rutile province

DY6 Metals Ltd (ASX:DY6) has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Yaoundé West Project in central Cameroon, significantly expanding its Central Rutile Project to 8,782 square kilometres.

The acquisition secures ground with a proven history of rutile production and strengthens DY6’s position as the leading landholder in a globally significant emerging rutile province.

To explain the details of the transaction and its implications, Cliff Fitzhenry, Chief Executive Officer of DY6 Metals, addressed key questions from investors.

What exactly has DY6 acquired through this transaction?

We have completed a binding agreement to acquire 100 percent of Desmond Metals Pty Ltd, which holds seven contiguous exploration licence applications known as the Yaoundé West Project.

Covering 2,888 square kilometres, these licences sit directly alongside our existing tenure, allowing us to consolidate them into the Central Rutile Project.

The result is an expansion from 5,901 to 8,782 square kilometres, creating a district-scale landholding that firmly positions DY6 as the largest 100 percent owned rutile-focused landholder in central Cameroon.

Why is Yaoundé West considered such a strategic acquisition for DY6?

Yaoundé West is the only historically recorded site of residual rutile mining in Cameroon, with operations taking place between 1935 and 1955, a period when the country was the world’s third largest rutile producer.

Records show approximately 15,000 tonnes of high-purity rutile were produced nationally during that time, with Yaoundé West playing a major role.

The French Geological Survey mapped a high-grade rutile zone stretching 70 kilometres in length and up to 15 kilometres wide, and it was in this area that coarse rutile nuggets were mined.

“Yaoundé West is particularly significant in that it is the only historically recorded area of residual rutile mining in the country, highlighting its geological significance and proven mineral potential.”

The bedrock geology, comprising kyanite-bearing mica schist and garnet paragneiss, is highly favourable for rutile mineralisation, reinforcing the project’s geological pedigree and strategic value.

What are the financial terms of the acquisition?

The transaction involves a combination of cash payments and equity.

DY6 will make an upfront payment of $750,000 in cash and issue 10 million fully paid ordinary shares, which will be escrowed for three months.

In addition, there is deferred consideration comprising 5 million Tranche 1 performance rights that convert into ordinary shares six months after completion, 5 million Tranche 2 performance rights that convert twelve months after completion, and a further $750,000 cash payment due twelve months post completion.

“The acquisition process was highly competitive, with several parties pursuing this exceptional asset. Our success in securing it is a strong endorsement of our strategic approach and capability to identify and execute on tier-one critical mineral opportunities.”

In total, the acquisition represents $1.5 million in cash together with equity and performance rights, reflecting a balanced structure that secures the asset while aligning both parties to its longer-term success

What are the development and logistical advantages of this project’s location?

The Yaoundé West Project benefits from exceptional access to infrastructure and at its closest point, the licences lie only 20 kilometres from Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.

They are linked by sealed multi-carriageway highways, and a railway line runs directly through one of the licences, connecting Yaoundé with the deep-water port of Douala, which is less than 200 kilometres away.

This means transport options for future development are already in place, while power, services, and workforce availability are supported by the proximity to the capital.

“Its premium land position, combined with unmatched proximity to key infrastructure – including port, rail, and power – provides a major logistical and development advantage.”

Such strong logistical advantages distinguish Yaoundé West from many other rutile projects globally, which often require extensive infrastructure development before advancing.

What are the next steps following the acquisition?

The immediate focus is on extending DY6’s systematic soil-sampling program to cover the newly acquired licences, generating the geochemical data required to identify high-priority targets across the expanded landholding.

Following this, maiden auger drilling will commence to test rutile mineralisation at depth. These exploration activities will build directly on the historical record of production and the mapped 70 kilometre by 15 kilometre high-grade rutile zone.

By applying modern exploration standards to an area with proven rutile potential, DY6 aims to confirm scale, grade, and consistency, laying the groundwork for future resource definition and further development.

Positioning for growth in a world-class rutile province

The acquisition of the Yaoundé West Project is a major milestone for DY6 Metals.

It combines historical production, proven geology, and unmatched access to infrastructure, providing a strong platform for exploration and value creation.

As Cliff Fitzhenry, Chief Executive Officer of DY6 Metals, highlights,

“the company is committed to advancing systematic exploration across its enlarged Central Rutile Project, with the aim of unlocking the full potential of this district-scale opportunity and cementing DY6’s role as a leading player in one of the world’s most prospective rutile regions.”

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