Coffee with Samso: DY6 Metals Limited – A New Rutile Story in Cameroon - Unveiling Africa’s Next Tier-One Rutile Province.
- Noel Ong
- Sep 30
- 7 min read
Coffee with Samso | Episode 210 | DY6 Metals (ASX: DY6) | UWA Club, Crawley, Western Australia.
Guest: Cliff Fitzhenry, CEO – DY6 Metals Ltd
Introduction
In this latest episode of Coffee with Samso, we return to the UWA Club in Crawley to meet with Cliff Fitzhenry, CEO of DY6 Metals Ltd (ASX: DY6). This conversation cuts through the technical noise to examine what could become a globally significant rutile and titanium discovery in Africa.
DY6 is still an early-stage story, but it’s positioning itself at the front of the critical mineral narrative and targeting the scarcity of natural rutile, a feedstock commanding premium value in the titanium supply chain.
Cliff brings technical clarity to what rutile actually is, why it matters, and how DY6 is forging ahead in Cameroon, a lesser-known but emerging jurisdiction with enormous potential.
Key Highlights from the Conversation
1. What is DY6 and Where Are They Focused?
DY6 Metals listed on the ASX in mid-2023 with a portfolio of rare earth projects in Malawi, and has since pivoted focus to rutile and heavy mineral sands (HMS) in Cameroon, particularly the:
Central Rutile Project (residual saprolite-hosted rutile)
Duala Basin Project (coastal HMS project)
Both sit in proximity to transport infrastructure, including rail and deepwater ports, and within a fast-evolving mining jurisdiction supported by new modernised regulations.
2. First Results – Reconnaissance Program at Central Rutile Project
In May 2025, DY6 completed its first pass reconnaissance sampling at the Central Rutile Project. While shallow (1–3m), the results were promising:
Rutile confirmed as dominant titanium mineral
Rutile grades above 1.5%, with highs of 2.1%, considered ultra-high grade
Heavy Mineral (HM) contents up to 8% in surface samples
These results validate the geological model targeting in-situ residual rutile mineralisation.
Cliff explains:
“We confirmed rutile is the key titanium mineral, and we’ve since completed 24 auger holes to greater depth using upgraded equipment. We believe those will be far more representative of in-situ rutile mineralisation.”
3. Understanding the Geological Model: Residual vs Alluvial Rutile
Cliff offers a masterclass in explaining rutile geology:
Residual/Saprolite-hosted: Rutile concentrated in weathered bedrock — easy to drill, free-dig, and dry mine
Alluvial: Historically known in Cameroon (1930s–50s), but more dispersed due to river transport
The Central Project targets the residual style, like Sovereign Metals’ Kasiya deposit in Malawi.
4. Jurisdiction Watch: Why Cameroon?
Cameroon is emerging as a serious mineral jurisdiction with:
A reformed mining code
Newly formed mining commission (DY6’s licence applications under review)
Proximity to Canyon Resources’ bauxite project and Lion Rock Minerals' rutile project
“We’re bullish on Cameroon. We’re setting up our own lab, building a local team, and drilling with purpose. This is the kind of place where tier-one discoveries are still possible.”
5. The Benchmark: Sovereign Metals & Kasiya
DY6's model draws clear inspiration from Sovereign Metals’ Kasiya discovery in Malawi — a 1.8Bt rutile deposit that reset the market’s understanding of sediment-hosted titanium systems.
“I was part of the team that made the Kasiya discovery. We know the rocks. Cameroon has similar geology. The model is proven — now it’s about execution.”
6. Grades Explained – What Numbers Matter in HMS and Rutile?
Understanding the significance of reported grades is crucial:
Traditional beach sands (e.g., Iluka-style): ~3–5% HM, mostly ilmenite
High-grade rutile cutoff: >1.4% rutile
Kasiya MRE cutoff: 0.7% rutile
DY6’s early sampling: up to 2.1% rutile, a standout in the global context
7. Infrastructure and In-Country Processing Strategy
DY6 is building its own mineral sands laboratory in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This eliminates long wait times and expensive logistics.
In-country assays for rapid turnaround
Heavy-duty auger rigs now operating
A 35% complete geochemical soil program underway
“We’re cutting out expensive delays. Everything will be processed in-country — cheaply and efficiently.”
8. Outlook for 2025–2026: Drill, Define, Deliver
DY6’s roadmap for the next 12 months includes:
Continuous drilling at Central Rutile Project
Full geochem completion + maiden deeper drilling campaign
Full lab operations in Cameroon
Defining high-grade targets for maiden JORC resource
Establishing Cameroon as a new titanium hub
9. The Malawi Portfolio – Secondary, But Valuable
While Cameroon is the flagship, DY6 retains highly prospective assets in Malawi:
Tundulu Rare Earths–Phosphate–Gallium Project
Machinga Heavy Rare Earths–Niobium Project
Additional lithium, copper, and PGM targets
“We’re planning follow-up work on the rare earths and gallium, but Cameroon is where the tier-one discovery potential is right now.”
10. The Market View: Underappreciated but Undervalued?
Cliff addresses market perception head-on:
DY6 trades at a significant valuation gap to both Sovereign Metals (DFS stage) and Lion Rock Minerals (neighbouring Cameroon explorer)
DY6 sees a first-mover advantage in a potentially massive province
Lack of near-term peers = space to define leadership
“We’re seeing serious inbound interest. There are majors looking at this region. We think the market will catch up when the drill results start to flow.”
Get your favourite beverage and watch Cliff tell us about the DY6 Metals story.
Chapters
00:00 Start
01:38 Introduction
02:51 Rutile results from Central Rutile Project
05:59 Does DY6 understand the potential Mineral Assemblages in the Central Rutile project?
06:35 What is the topology like?
07:21 What is the jurisdiction like in Cameroon?
08:30 Are your neighbours in Cameroon helping you to understand the geology?
09:36 Does DY6 see itself contributing to helping distribute information on the rutile prospectivity in Cameroon?
11:00 What is the Heavy Mineral number investors should look for?
13:50 What is the geological model for the Central Rutile Project?
15:11 What will 2025 and 2026 look like for investors?
17:38 What are the Key Milestones for DY6 Metals?
18:28 Is the market understanding DY6 Metals?
19:35 What is the competition like in this sector?
20:23 Understanding the Heavy Mineral Sands sector.
21:09 What is the Rutile market like?
22:46 Is the mining of Rutile simple?
24:11 What would you say to potential investors and existing shareholders?
27:16 The Malawi projects.
28:57 How is the Capital Market treating Titanium players?
30:32 Last Words from DY6 Metals?
31:59 Conclusion
Samso Concluding Comments
The rutile narrative has evolved rapidly, thanks to the efforts of Sovereign Metals and others, but DY6 is now staking a claim in what could become Africa’s next globally recognised rutile province.
DY6 has a clear focus:
✅ Build in-country capability
✅ Establish a high-grade JORC resource
✅ Educate the market on why rutile matters
Cliff Fitzhenry is clearly a technical operator with a discovery mindset. As this region opens up and results flow, DY6 could emerge as one of the most interesting rutile explorers on the ASX.
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