Strengthening America’s Antimony Security Through Strategic Partnership
Locksley Resources Limited (ASX: LKY, OTCQB: LKYRF, FSE: X5L) has taken a significant step toward establishing a secure domestic antimony supply chain in the United States by entering into a non-binding Heads of Agreement with EV Resources Limited (EVR). This strategic partnership aims to provide Locksley with a reliable source of antimony ore to complement its Desert Antimony Mine at Mojave, California, and advance its proprietary DeepSolvâ„¢ processing technology.
The agreement represents a critical advancement in the Locksley Resources antimony plan targeting the USD $1 billion+ domestic US antimony market, primarily focused on defense and energy applications. By securing multiple ore sources, Locksley is positioning itself as a key player in reducing America’s dependence on foreign antimony supplies.
Securing North American Antimony Supply Chains
The strategic partnership with EVR provides Locksley with several key advantages:
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- Immediate access to beneficiated ore supply while Locksley develops its Mojave operations
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- Ability to validate the DeepSolvâ„¢ process across multiple ore types
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- Demonstration to US government stakeholders of practical non-Chinese feedstock solutions
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- Acceleration of domestic antimony refining capabilities
“This agreement potentially strengthens our mine-to-market strategy by complementing our Mojave development with additional concentrate supply from EVR. By securing near-shore feedstock alongside our fast-tracked mining plans in California, Locksley will be well positioned to accelerate the U.S. return to domestic antimony processing.” – Pat Burke, Chairman of Locksley Resources
DeepSolvâ„¢: A Technological Game-Changer for Antimony Processing
Locksley’s proprietary DeepSolvâ„¢ technology, developed in collaboration with Rice University, represents a significant advancement in antimony processing. This solvometallurgical process offers several advantages over traditional methods:
DeepSolvâ„¢ Benefits | Strategic Impact |
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Environmentally sustainable processing | Reduced environmental footprint compared to traditional methods |
Adaptable to various ore types | Enables processing from multiple supply sources |
Enhanced recovery rates | Improved economics and resource utilization |
Domestic processing capability | Reduces dependence on foreign refining |
The securing of EVR’s beneficiated ore will accelerate the deployment of DeepSolvâ„¢ by ensuring a steady and diverse feedstock supply, validating the process across multiple ore types, and establishing the scale necessary to address the substantial US antimony market.
Understanding Antimony’s Critical Importance
What is Antimony and Why It Matters to Investors
Antimony is a critical mineral essential for various defense applications, including ammunition, armor-piercing bullets, and nuclear weapons. It’s also crucial for the energy sector, where it’s used in flame retardants, battery technologies, and semiconductor manufacturing.
The United States currently has no domestic antimony production, despite its classification as a critical mineral by the US government. This supply vulnerability is particularly concerning given that China controls approximately 80% of global antimony production and refining.
For investors, this represents a significant opportunity. Companies establishing secure, domestic antimony supply chains stand to benefit from:
- Premium pricing for US-produced material
- Potential government support and contracts
- Reduced geopolitical supply risks
- Growing demand from defense and clean energy sectors
Antimony: A Critical Mineral in Global Supply Chains
Antimony (chemical symbol Sb) is a silvery-white, brittle metallic element with unique properties that make it invaluable across multiple industries. As a critical mineral, it plays an essential role in national security, manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
In its most common application, antimony is used as a flame retardant in textiles, plastics, and electronics. Its compounds can significantly reduce the flammability of materials, making it crucial for safety applications. In the defense sector, antimony is a key component in ammunition production, particularly for hardening lead in bullets and armor-piercing rounds. It’s also utilized in military-grade infrared detection systems and night vision equipment.
For the energy sector, antimony compounds are increasingly important in advanced battery technologies, including certain liquid metal batteries being developed for grid-scale energy storage. The semiconductor industry relies on antimony for manufacturing microelectronic components and photovoltaic cells.
The supply chain vulnerability stems from both the geographical concentration of production and the limited substitutes available for antimony’s unique properties. With China controlling approximately 80% of global production and the US having no active domestic mines, securing reliable antimony sources has become a national security priority.
Strategic Investment Framework
As part of the agreement, Locksley will make a strategic investment of A$0.75 million in EV Resources, contingent upon:
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- Successfully negotiating a binding Antimony Ore Sales Agreement
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- Receiving EVR shareholder approval
This investment demonstrates Locksley’s commitment to establishing a comprehensive antimony supply chain and positions the company for long-term growth in this critical sector.
The partnership framework includes:
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- Initial testing and validation of EVR’s ore samples at Locksley’s facilities
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- Development of a binding Ore Sales Agreement for long-term supply
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- Cooperation on downstream processing studies
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- Mutual strategic benefits for both companies
Mojave Project: The Cornerstone of Locksley’s Critical Minerals Strategy
While the EVR partnership strengthens Locksley’s antimony supply chain, the company’s Mojave Project remains the cornerstone of its critical minerals strategy. Located in California’s Mojave Desert, the project comprises:
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- Over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas
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- The historic Desert Antimony Mine, which last operated in 1937
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- Claims adjacent to MP Materials’ operations, highlighting the strong geological continuity
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- Potential for both rare earth elements and high-grade antimony
The Desert Antimony Mine represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the US, positioning Locksley to potentially become a significant domestic producer of this critical mineral.
Future Growth Catalysts and Timelines
Locksley’s strategic initiatives create several near-term catalysts for potential growth:
- Finalization of binding Ore Sales Agreement with EVR
- Advancement of DeepSolvâ„¢ processing technology with Rice University
- Development of the Desert Antimony Mine at Mojave
- Potential US government partnerships and support
- Expansion of downstream validation for defense and energy applications
Why Investors Should Watch Locksley Resources
Locksley Resources presents a compelling investment case for those interested in the critical minerals sector:
- Strategic Market Position: Addressing a critical supply vulnerability in the US defense and energy sectors
- Technological Edge: Proprietary DeepSolvâ„¢ processing technology developed with Rice University
- Multiple Supply Sources: Secured through both the Mojave Project and the EVR partnership
- Aligned with US National Security Interests: Potential for government support and contracts
- Experienced Management Team: Led by industry veterans focused on critical minerals
Locksley has strategically positioned itself at the intersection of national security, critical minerals, and technological innovation. By securing multiple antimony supply sources and developing advanced processing capabilities, the company is addressing a significant gap in the US critical minerals supply chain.
For investors looking for exposure to critical minerals with strong domestic demand and limited supply options, Locksley Resources represents an opportunity to participate in the reshaping of North American supply chains for defense and energy applications.
Want to Be Part of America’s Antimony Security Solution?
Discover how Locksley Resources is strategically positioning itself in the USD $1 billion+ US antimony market through domestic mining, innovative processing technology, and strategic partnerships. As the US government seeks to reduce dependence on foreign antimony supplies, Locksley offers investors a unique opportunity in this critical minerals space. For more information about Locksley’s antimony strategy, DeepSolvâ„¢ technology, and investment potential, visit the company’s website today.