High-Grade Antimony Concentrate Moves Mojave Project Toward Domestic Supply Chain
Locksley Resources (ASX: LKY) has successfully produced a high-grade antimony concentrate from its Desert Antimony Mine (DAM) prospect, achieving an exceptional 68.1% antimony grade that approaches the theoretical maximum for stibnite. This significant metallurgical achievement positions Locksley as a key player in developing a domestic U.S. antimony supply chain.
The high-purity concentrate, produced through a standard antimony flotation process, far exceeds the minimum marketable grade of 55% and represents 95% of the technical maximum stibnite grade of 71.68%. This exceptional result was achieved with minimal flowsheet development, suggesting a straightforward path to commercial production.
"These results validate our strategy to become a pivotal part of America's critical minerals supply chain," said Nathan Lude, Strategy & Capital Markets at Locksley Resources. "With antimony listed as a critical mineral and no current domestic production in the U.S., Locksley is positioned to fill a strategic gap in the market."
Metallurgical Success with Minimal Processing
The metallurgical test work, conducted by Independent Metallurgical Operations (IMO) and Base Metallurgical Laboratories, demonstrated that high-grade antimony concentrate can be produced with a relatively simple process:
| Flotation Stage | Antimony Grade (%) | Antimony Recovery (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaner Test C07 | 61.3 | 60.5 |
| Cleaner Test C08 | 68.1 | 58.7 |
| Rougher Flotation | 25.4-29.0 | 80.2-81.9 |
The cleaner flotation process achieved antimony recoveries of approximately 60%, while the rougher flotation stage achieved over 80% recovery. With optimization of the process and recycling of cleaner tails, Locksley expects total antimony recoveries to exceed 80% in a commercial operation.
Strategic Importance of Domestic Antimony Production
Antimony is classified as a critical mineral by the U.S. government due to its essential applications in defense systems, semiconductors, and energy storage. Currently, China dominates global antimony production, controlling approximately 53% of supply, with Russia as another significant producer.
The United States has no active antimony mines, making Locksley's Mojave Project strategically important for reducing dependency on foreign supply chains. The company's "Made in America" antimony initiative aligns with U.S. government priorities for building domestic capability in critical minerals.
Understanding Antimony: A Critical Strategic Metal
Antimony is a silvery-white, brittle metalloid that has been used for thousands of years, but has taken on new importance in modern defense and technology applications.
The metal is primarily used in flame retardants (approximately 60% of consumption), but its strategic importance stems from applications in:
- Defense: Lead-antimony alloys for bullets and armor-piercing ammunition
- Technology: Semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics
- Energy: Battery technology, particularly liquid metal batteries
- Manufacturing: Alloys, plastics, and glass production
With its high concentration of 68.1% antimony in the produced concentrate, Locksley's product would be considered premium grade in the global antimony market, where most concentrates trade at 55-60% antimony content.
Next Steps in Development
Locksley is rapidly advancing its antimony development program with several key initiatives:
- Collection of bulk samples from underground workings for expanded testing
- Production of larger volumes of concentrate for pilot testing of antimony metal ingot production
- Testing with Rice University's DeepSolv™ extraction methodology
- Extension of testing to the Los Lirios deposit in Mexico
"Our next phase will focus on scaling production and optimizing recovery," explained Mr. Lude. "We're particularly excited about producing antimony metal ingot, which represents the highest-value product in the supply chain."
Investment Potential in Critical Minerals
Locksley Resources presents a compelling investment opportunity in the critical minerals sector due to several key factors:
-
Strategic Asset Positioning: The Mojave Project is located in California, providing secure jurisdictional advantages for U.S. supply chain development.
-
Dual Commodity Exposure: Beyond antimony, the project also targets rare earth elements (REEs), offering investors exposure to two critical mineral markets.
-
Technical De-risking: The high-grade concentrate achieved with minimal processing indicates lower technical risk in developing a commercial operation.
-
Policy Tailwinds: U.S. government initiatives to secure domestic supply chains for critical minerals provide strong policy support for projects like Mojave.
-
Near-term Catalysts: Upcoming work including bulk sampling, pilot plant testing, and drilling programs provide multiple catalysts for potential value creation.
Why Investors Should Follow Locksley Resources Antimony Production
Locksley Resources represents a unique opportunity to invest in a company advancing critical mineral projects aligned with U.S. strategic interests. With antimony supplies increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and no domestic U.S. production, Locksley's high-grade antimony concentrate represents a significant milestone in developing an American supply solution.
The company's dual focus on antimony and rare earth elements at the Mojave Project provides two pathways to potential success in the critical minerals sector. With metallurgical test work delivering exceptional results on the first pass, Locksley has demonstrated the technical viability of its antimony resource with relatively low technical complexity.
For investors seeking exposure to the critical minerals sector with near-term development potential in a secure jurisdiction, Locksley Resources offers an opportunity at the intersection of resource development and national security priorities.
Want to Invest in America's Antimony Revolution?
Discover how Locksley Resources is positioning itself as a critical player in the U.S. antimony supply chain with its exceptional 68.1% antimony grade concentrate. As the United States seeks to reduce dependency on foreign critical minerals, Locksley's Mojave Project represents a compelling investment opportunity at the intersection of resource development and national security. To learn more about Locksley Resources and their strategic antimony and rare earth elements projects, visit their website at https://locksleyresources.com.au/.
