Locksley Accelerates Critical Minerals Programs at Mojave with Multi-Pronged Strategy
Locksley Resources (ASX: LKY) is rapidly advancing its strategic Mojave Critical Minerals Project in California, with multiple workstreams now underway following key regulatory approvals and expanded exploration plans.
Regulatory Green Light Boosts Antimony Mine Development
Locksley has received crucial Bureau of Land Management approval for the expanded Plan of Operations at its Desert Antimony Mine (DAM), subject to finalization of bond payment. This approval represents a significant step forward in the company's efforts to develop a domestic antimony supply for the United States.
The company hasn't wasted time in advancing its exploration agenda, securing a drilling contractor for its El Campo rare earths drilling program scheduled for Q4 2025. Simultaneously, the company is finalizing an expanded drilling timeline for the DAM site.
CEO Kerrie Matthews emphasized: "Since commencing as CEO, my focus has been on advancing Mojave through multiple, parallel workstreams. The team and I are extremely focused on our fast-track mine-to-market strategy and it positions Locksley to deliver near-term U.S. antimony supply into critical defense and energy supply chains."
Advanced Technical Work Underway at Desert Antimony Mine
The company has completed a comprehensive LiDAR survey of the underground workings at DAM, providing valuable 3D mapping of existing adits and stopes. This high-precision data will guide both future drill targeting and mine design, with technology deployed including:
- Elios 3 with Rev7 LiDAR payload for internal underground mapping
- DJI M350 RTK drone with L2 LiDAR payload for surface imagery
This data collection will enable the creation of a precise 3D model of the historic mine site, critical for optimizing the upcoming exploration and development activities.
In addition, systematic underground sampling is set to commence shortly at DAM to validate historical grades and support resource definition. The sampling will focus on an adit located approximately 50 meters southeast of the historic smelter, where evidence of massive to semi-massive stibnite-bearing quartz-carbonate veins has been observed dipping sub-vertically.
El Campo Rare Earths Drilling Targets High-Grade Zone
The upcoming drilling at El Campo will target the steeply dipping, structurally controlled mineralized horizon across five locations along the interpreted 860-meter long NW-SE striking 'lode.' This target hosts elevated rare earth elements (REEs) previously identified through high-grade rock chip sampling conducted in 2023.
The first planned drill hole is specifically designed to target the down-plunge El Campo outcrop dipping to the southwest, which has shown promising surface sampling results.
Expanded Regional Exploration Across 40 Square Kilometers
Locksley's exploration activities extend well beyond the immediate mine areas, with regional work advancing across newly acquired claims that now cover over 40 square kilometers of the prospective Mojave corridor.
The company's broader exploration strategy includes:
- Regional reconnaissance and claim-wide sampling starting this month
- Evaluation of optimal geophysical methods including airborne magnetics, radiometrics, IP, gravity surveys, and passive seismic
- Stream sediment and rock chip sampling across all project blocks
- Ongoing geological mapping coinciding with outcrop rock sampling to identify potential REE, antimony, and base metal anomalies
Understanding the Strategic Value of Antimony
Antimony might not be as well-known as other critical minerals, but it holds enormous strategic importance, particularly for the United States. As a key component in defense systems, semiconductors, flame retardants, and specialized metal alloys, antimony has been designated a critical mineral by the U.S. government.
Currently, the United States has no domestic antimony production, with China dominating global supply at approximately 60% of world production. This supply concentration presents significant national security concerns, especially given antimony's applications in military hardware, batteries, and microelectronics.
Locksley's Desert Antimony Mine represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S., positioning the company strategically in the effort to secure domestic supply of this critical metal. The mine last operated in 1937 but has significant historical data that suggest substantial remaining resources.
Applications of Antimony in Modern Technology
Antimony's unique properties make it valuable across multiple industries:
- Defense Applications: Used in ammunition, armor plating, night vision devices, and infrared sensors
- Energy Storage: Component in certain grid-scale battery technologies
- Flame Retardants: Critical safety element in plastics, textiles, and building materials
- Semiconductor Manufacturing: Used in the production of various electronic components
- Alloys and Metals: Improves hardness and mechanical strength of lead and other metals
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies antimony as a critical mineral due to its importance to economic and national security coupled with supply chain vulnerability. With no current domestic production, the U.S. relies entirely on imports, creating a strategic opportunity for Locksley's Mojave Project.
Future Development Timeline
Locksley has outlined several near-term catalysts as it advances its "mine-to-market" strategy for U.S. antimony supply:
| Timeframe | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Q4 2025 | Commence drilling at El Campo REE target |
| Q4 2025 | Complete underground sampling program at DAM |
| Q4 2025 | Initiate expanded drill program at Desert Antimony Mine |
| Ongoing | Regional exploration across newly acquired claims |
With the Plan of Operations now approved (pending bond finalization), Locksley is actively preparing for drilling at the El Campo REE target while continuing technical work at the Desert Antimony Mine to refine exploration targets.
Investment Case: Domestic Critical Minerals Supply
Locksley Resources presents a compelling investment case based on its strategic focus on domestic critical minerals production in the United States. The company's Locksley Resources critical minerals project holds significant potential for both antimony and rare earth elements, two mineral groups that feature prominently in the U.S. government's critical minerals strategy.
The investment thesis is built around several key factors:
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Strategic Location: The Mojave Project is situated in California, providing domestic access to critical minerals currently dominated by foreign suppliers.
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Two Critical Minerals in One Project: The property hosts both high-grade antimony at the Desert Antimony Mine and promising rare earth element targets at El Campo.
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Geological Potential: The El Campo Prospect lies along strike of MP Materials' Mountain Pass Mine (the only active rare earth mine in the United States), while the North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials.
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Fast-Track Development: The company is pursuing multiple parallel workstreams to accelerate the path to production.
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Government Policy Tailwinds: U.S. policy strongly supports development of domestic critical mineral supply chains, potentially providing funding and offtake opportunities.
Why Investors Should Watch Locksley Resources
Locksley Resources offers exposure to the critical minerals sector at a time when geopolitical tensions and supply chain security concerns are driving renewed focus on domestic production capabilities. The company's dual focus on both antimony and rare earth elements provides diversification within the critical minerals space.
Key reasons to follow Locksley include:
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Near-term catalysts: With drilling programs commencing in Q4 2025, investors can expect regular news flow and potential value-creating milestones.
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Strategic commodity focus: Both antimony and REEs feature prominently in U.S. critical minerals strategy, with limited domestic production options currently available.
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Experienced leadership: CEO Kerrie Matthews is driving an aggressive development strategy with multiple parallel workstreams.
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Expanding land position: Locksley now controls over 40 square kilometers along the prospective Mojave corridor, providing significant exploration upside.
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Clear path to market: The company's "fast-track mine-to-market strategy" is designed to position Locksley as a near-term U.S. antimony supplier for critical defense and energy applications.
With both the antimony and rare earths markets facing significant supply challenges and growing demand from technology and defense applications, Locksley's strategic focus on domestic U.S. supply development positions it well to capitalize on these macro trends.
Ready to Secure Your Position in Critical Minerals?
Don't miss the opportunity to be part of Locksley Resources' fast-track development of strategic antimony and rare earth elements in the United States. With multiple drilling programs commencing in Q4 2025 and expanded exploration across 40 square kilometres of the prospective Mojave corridor, now is the time to learn more about this compelling investment opportunity. Visit Locksley Resources' website today to discover how their dual-focus strategy could benefit your investment portfolio.
