What did Connected Minerals (ASX:CML) announce regarding its operations in Angola?

Connected Minerals entered a binding conditional agreement to acquire 100% of Frontier Group CRM Pty Ltd, giving it an indirect 80% interest in the Bailundo licence.

Why is the Bailundo carbonatite complex significant for Connected Minerals (ASX:CML)?

The project features a large-scale carbonatite complex with a 7km diameter located within a massive 2,054km² licence area. Its geological profile is considered analogous to world-class Brazilian carbonatites, suggesting high potential for scale and grade in an emerging mining jurisdiction.

What were the key mineralisation grades found at the Bailundo project?

Validation sampling confirmed high-grade surface mineralisation, with vertical channel samples returning up to 2.1% Nb2O5 (niobium) and 7.7% TREO (total rare earth oxides). Soil samples also showed strong results, averaging 1.3% Nb2O5 and peaking at 2.8% TREO.

How does the location of the Angola project benefit Connected Minerals (ASX:CML)?

The project is located approximately 80km from Huambo city and offers direct access to the Lobito Corridor. This is a major export route backed by the US and EU, providing the project with critical infrastructure for transporting future production to global markets.

Who is leading the new venture for Connected Minerals (ASX:CML)?

The company has appointed Stephen Wetherall as Chief Executive Officer, who brings 12 years of specific in-country experience in Angola. Additionally, Quentin Flannery has been appointed as Non-Executive Chairman to oversee the strategic direction of the carbonatite acquisition.

Connected Minerals acquires major Niobium-REE project

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published May. 4 2026Last Updated May. 4 2026

Connected Minerals (ASX:CML) announced a pivotal binding conditional agreement to acquire 100% of Frontier Group CRM, securing an 80% indirect interest in the Bailundo licence.

The move grants the company control over a substantial carbonatite complex in Angola, a site boasting a 7km diameter within a massive 2,054km² licence area.

Recent validation sampling has confirmed high-grade niobium and rare earth element mineralisation from the surface, with vertical channel samples returning up to 2.1% Nb₂O₅ and 7.7% TREO.

The results underscore the project’s potential, as the mineralisation is hosted within near-surface weathered saprolite and extends into fresh carbonatite.

The project is favourably located approximately 80km from Huambo city, benefiting from proximity to the Lobito Corridor, a vital export route supported by the US and EU.

To steer this new venture, the company has appointed Quentin Flannery as non-executive chairman and Stephen Wetherall as CEO, the latter bringing 12 years of essential in-country experience.

Wetherall noted that the combination of scale, grade, and infrastructure makes this a rare global opportunity.

To support rapid exploration and define the geometry of the mineralisation, Connected Minerals has initiated a $4.5 million capital-raising effort.

The acquisition places the company in a geological province analogous to world-class Brazilian carbonatites.

At the time of reporting, Connected Minerals’ share price was $0.35.