Rutile–Graphite System Strengthens at the Central Rutile Project (Cameroon)
- Noel Ong
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Announcement
Kasiya-Style Flake Graphite Confirmed at Central 25 November 2025 (click here to view the announcement)
DY6 Metals Ltd (ASX: DY6), now Tusker Minerals Limited (ASX: TSK), has released new rutile and graphite assay results from reconnaissance auger drilling across the Nsimbo and Alamba licences, part of the broader Central Rutile Project in Cameroon (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Map showing the location of the 24 mechanised auger drill holes drilled on the Nsimbo and Alamba licences at the Central Rutile Project. (source: TSK)
The program confirms multiple thick rutile zones from surface and the presence of Kasiya-style flake graphite within mottled and saprolite horizons. These results underline the dual-commodity potential emerging across this 8,782 km² landholding.
The Business of the Company: Focus – Projects
TSK continues to advance its saprolite-hosted rutile and graphite strategy across Central Cameroon.
A systematic, low-cost auger campaign is testing extensions of mineralisation identified by regional activity to the north.
The Company holds or is acquiring 21 exploration permits covering a rapidly emerging rutile province.
The geological model mirrors the Tier-1 Kasiya deposit in Malawi, where rutile and graphite co-exist within deeply weathered profiles.
Highlights – Thick Rutile Zones and Confirmed Flake Graphite
1. Multiple Rutile Intercepts from Surface
Reconnaissance auger drilling returned several thick intervals (Figure 2), including:
11m @ 0.49% rutile, incl. 4m @ 0.63% and 1m @ 0.88% rutile.
11m @ 0.47% rutile, incl. 3m @ 0.54% rutile.
5m @ 0.51% rutile, incl. 3m @ 0.65% and 1m @ 0.78% rutile.
9m @ 0.42% rutile, incl. 3m @ 0.52% rutile.
Figure 2: Disseminated Flake Graphite (0.47%) in Mottled Saprolite Zone (source: DY6)
All holes reporting >0.5% rutile show mineralisation beginning at surface and remaining open at depth (Table 1).
Table 1: Auger drilling results (rutile only), Central Rutile Project (UTM32N & UTM33N)
2. Graphite Confirmed – Strong Grades in Saprolite Horizon
Graphite assays show a consistent enrichment profile:
2m @ 0.48% TGC, incl. 1m @ 0.60% TGC.
5.6m @ 0.33% TGC, incl. 2m @ 0.50% TGC.
Additional intervals of 9m @ 0.27% TGC and 7m @ 0.29% TGC.
Every hole assayed ended in graphite, with grades increasing into mottled/saprolite zones—typical of Kasiya-style weathering sequences.
3. Dual-Commodity Value Proposition
The combination of high-grade natural rutile near surface and free-dig, saprolite-hosted flake graphite strengthens TSK’s ability to build a low-cost, high-margin critical minerals project (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Flake Graphite (0.47%) observed in mottled zone during desliming (source: TSK)
4. Geological Validation – Kasiya-Style System
Visual and analytical confirmation of flake graphite supports the geological model linking Central Rutile to the world-class Kasiya deposit in Malawi.
5. Follow-Up Work Underway
Ongoing soil sampling and auger drilling at Bounde and Nganda aim to delineate deeper, higher-grade rutile–graphite zones.
Leadership Commentary
CEO, Cliff Fitzhenry, commented:
“These results mark a significant and transformational step forward for the Central Rutile Project. The discovery of flake graphite mineralisation within the mottled clay and saprolite horizons shows a clear Kasiya-style enrichment profile. The prospects demonstrate clean, saprolite-hosted and free-dig graphite, with grades increasing into the saprolite horizon and remaining open in all holes assayed to date.
Importantly, with the strong, natural rutile prospectivity of the project, these results point to the exciting dual commodity opportunity for the Central Rutile Project. Combining premium, high-purity natural rutile potential near surface along with high-quality, flake graphite is a game-changing development. These results could position the project as a strategic, low-cost, multicommodity, critical minerals asset in West Africa. We are continuing our project-wide soil sampling, as well as targeted hand-auger drilling, across the project.”
About the Project
The Central Rutile Project spans 8,782 km² across a region historically known for high-purity rutile production (15,000 tonnes between 1935–1955). Key geological features include:
Garnet mica-schist and kyanite-bearing paragneiss—the primary rutile source.
In-situ saprolite-hosted rutile, formed through deep tropical weathering.
Flake graphite enrichment in mottled and saprolite horizons, increasing with depth due to preservation under less oxidised conditions.
Potential for secondary alluvial concentration through reworking of weathered profiles.
This geological environment closely parallels the Kasiya blueprint, offering scalability and operational simplicity (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Map of Central Cameroon showing TSK’s Central Rutile Project (source: TSK)
Near-term Milestones to Watch
Expansion of soil sampling across Bounde and Nganda.
Verification drilling on deeper rutile–graphite targets.
Assay acceleration via the Company’s new in-country laboratory.
Targeted hand-auger programs to refine higher-grade zones for future resource definition activities.
How Samso Understands the Investment Memo for the Company
The emerging narrative at TSK is one of progressive geological validation across a very large landholding. The intersection of rutile and graphite within the same weathered profile provides a compelling strategic advantage—two globally critical minerals generated by the same low-cost, saprolite-hosted system.
What stands out is the consistency: mineralisation begins at surface, continues through the profile, and remains open at the base of drilling. Each auger hole is contributing to a clearer picture of a mineral system that has the scale, simplicity, and geological integrity to support future development work.
From an investment perspective, the project is still in an early phase, but the building blocks—geological continuity, validation of the model, and dual-commodity upside—are taking shape in a way that aligns well with TSK’s broader strategic positioning in West Africa.
Samso Concluding Comments
While still in the reconnaissance phase, the auger results demonstrate a geological system with depth potential and grade consistency. Importantly, all holes ended in graphite, which suggests that deeper programs could reveal stronger graphite zones similar to what defines world-class saprolite-hosted deposits. This is an encouraging signal for those watching the long-term potential of this project.
The dual-commodity aspect is not to be understated. Rutile and graphite each have their own market dynamics, supply gaps, and strategic value. Being able to delineate a project where both occur naturally within the same weathered horizon is significant. It lowers complexity, potentially reduces capital intensity, and opens the door to future processing synergies. These are the types of characteristics that can fundamentally shift the economics of a critical minerals project.
The geological correlation to Kasiya will draw ongoing comparisons, but what matters now is whether TSK can continue validating this model through the next phases of drilling. The Company’s broader portfolio across Cameroon gives it the landholding necessary to explore at scale, and the early data suggests there may be multiple zones capable of supporting future resource definition. Consistency and continuity will be key markers in future updates.
As more data arrives from Bounde, Nganda, and subsequent lab work, investors should expect a clearer view of where TSK's strongest targets reside. For now, the narrative is one of steady progress—measured, data-driven, and aligned with building a foundation for a long-term critical minerals project in West Africa.
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