Locksley Resources Secures Strategic Partnership to Advance Mojave Critical Minerals Project
U.S. Government Advisory Powerhouse to Accelerate Development Path
Locksley Resources (ASX: LKY / OTCQB: LKYRF) has made a significant strategic move by partnering with Washington D.C.-based GreenMet to advance its Mojave Critical Minerals Project in California. This partnership positions Locksley at the centre of America's critical minerals strategy and opens doors to substantial U.S. government funding opportunities.
The engagement brings elite government and defense expertise to Locksley's team through GreenMet's leadership, which includes Drew Horn, a former top U.S. official on strategic minerals who served in senior positions at The White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Departments of Energy and Defense.
This partnership comes at a pivotal time as the U.S. government has committed nearly $1 billion in funding opportunities for critical minerals supply chains, with Locksley now strategically positioned to access these programmes.
Tapping into America's Critical Minerals Security Strategy
The United States has designated critical minerals as a national security priority, implementing legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and strategic use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.
Locksley's Mojave Project is perfectly aligned with these initiatives, focusing on antimony and rare earth elements (REEs) – materials essential for defense systems, renewable energy, and advanced technologies. Currently, 90-95% of refined antimony supply comes from countries outside the U.S. alliance network, creating a critical vulnerability that Locksley aims to address.
"Our mine-to-market strategy anchored by Mojave and our U.S. collaboration with Rice University fits directly into U.S. Government initiatives to secure resilient domestic supply chains," said Chairman Nathan Lude. "This appointment significantly enhances our ability to access U.S. Government and institutional support while further validating Mojave as a critical U.S. project for defence, technology and energy markets."
Strategic Advisory Team with Exceptional Credentials
The GreenMet team brings unparalleled expertise in navigating U.S. government funding mechanisms and strategic minerals policy:
- Drew Horn: Former top U.S. official on strategic minerals and energy supply chain development, with leadership experience at The White House, ODNI, and the Departments of Energy and Defense
- Nick Denno: Director of Operations and decorated Special Forces Weapons Sergeant with extensive special operations experience
This team's combination of government, defense, and finance expertise uniquely positions GreenMet to guide Locksley's government engagement strategy.
"The United States is accelerating efforts to secure domestic sources of critical minerals for defense and energy systems, and Locksley's mine-to-market strategy is exactly what these initiatives are designed to support," said Drew Horn, Head of GreenMet.
Understanding the Strategic Importance of Antimony
Antimony might not be a household name, but it's critically important to national security and the energy transition. This metalloid is essential for:
- Military applications including ammunition, night vision equipment, and armor-piercing bullets
- Fire retardants for safety equipment and building materials
- Lead-acid batteries used in conventional and hybrid vehicles
- Semiconductor manufacturing and electronics
The Critical Supply Vulnerability
The U.S. currently has no domestic antimony production despite its critical importance, creating a significant national security vulnerability that Locksley's Mojave Project directly addresses. The Desert Antimony Mine portion of the project represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S.
Antimony is classified as a critical mineral by the U.S. government due to both its importance in defense and industrial applications and the concentration of global supply. China currently dominates global antimony production, controlling approximately 53% of mine production and 67% of refining capacity. Russia accounts for another 20% of global supply.
This concentration creates a substantial supply risk for Western nations, particularly as geopolitical tensions increase. The absence of domestic production capability means the U.S. is almost entirely dependent on imports for this strategic material, a vulnerability that has been highlighted by recent supply chain disruptions.
Industry analysts note that antimony prices tend to be volatile due to this concentrated supply, with historical price spikes occurring during periods of export restrictions from major producing countries. This volatility further underscores the economic case for developing domestic sources.
Mojave Project: Strategically Located in California's Mineral Belt
The Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas in California:
- North Block/Northeast Block: Directly adjacent to claims held by MP Materials
- El Campo Prospect: Located along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and surrounded by MP Materials' claims
This strategic location highlights the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area. Beyond antimony, the project also targets rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential components in renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and defense systems.
The Mojave Project's location in California provides several strategic advantages:
- Secure jurisdiction within the United States
- Established infrastructure including road access and power
- Proximity to technology and defense manufacturing hubs
- Potential for streamlined permitting under critical minerals initiatives
Accelerated Development Timeline Through Government Programs
Locksley is targeting several key U.S. government programs to accelerate the Mojave Project's development:
- Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunities totaling nearly $1 billion for critical minerals
- Department of Defense (DoD) programs for strategic materials
- Export-Import Bank (EXIM) financing
- Development Finance Corporation (DFC) support
The Locksley Resources partnership with GreenMet is designed to position the Mojave Project within these key initiatives, potentially accelerating the timeline from exploration to production.
Recent government initiatives that could directly benefit Locksley include:
| Program | Value | Focus | Relevance to Locksley |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOE Critical Materials FOA | $675M | Domestic processing and separation | REE and antimony processing |
| Defense Production Act | $500M | Domestic production of strategic materials | Antimony for defense applications |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law | $140M | Mining and processing of critical materials | Mine development funding |
| EXIM Critical Minerals Program | Varied | Financing for critical minerals projects | Project development capital |
Creating America's First Domestic Antimony Supply Chain
Locksley aims to establish the first domestic antimony mine-to-market secure supply chain in the United States. This ambitious goal addresses a critical gap in U.S. industrial capacity, where currently 90-95% of refined antimony supply comes from countries outside the U.S. alliance network.
The company's strategy extends beyond mining to include downstream processing through collaboration with Rice University, developing U.S.-based processing technology for defense and energy applications.
This vertically integrated approach aligns perfectly with U.S. government objectives to secure entire supply chains, not just individual components. By developing both the mining and processing capabilities domestically, Locksley offers a comprehensive solution to the antimony supply vulnerability.
Why Investors Should Watch Locksley Resources
Locksley Resources represents a unique investment opportunity at the intersection of critical minerals, national security, and government funding priorities:
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Strategic Asset in Secure Jurisdiction: The Mojave Project is located in California, providing security of tenure in a mining-friendly state within the United States.
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Direct Alignment with Government Priorities: Antimony and REEs are designated critical minerals under U.S. policy, with significant government funding available for their development.
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Elite Government Connections: The GreenMet partnership provides access to high-level government networks and funding mechanisms not typically available to junior mining companies.
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Vertically Integrated Strategy: The mine-to-market approach with Rice University collaboration addresses the full supply chain vulnerability, not just the mining component.
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Multiple Revenue Opportunities: The project targets both antimony and rare earth elements, providing diversified mineral exposure.
With its strategic focus on critical minerals in the United States, experienced leadership team, and now enhanced government advisory capability, Locksley Resources is positioning itself as a key player in America's mineral security strategy. The company's focus on both antimony and rare earth elements provides exposure to multiple critical mineral markets with significant growth potential driven by defense, technology, and clean energy demands.
Want to Be Part of America's Critical Minerals Revolution?
Discover how Locksley Resources is positioning itself at the heart of U.S. national security and clean energy priorities with its strategically located Mojave Project. With elite government connections through GreenMet partnership and potential access to nearly $1 billion in government funding, Locksley offers a compelling investment opportunity in antimony and rare earth elements. Learn more about how you can invest in America's critical minerals future by visiting locksleyresouces.com.au today.
