Locksley Resources intensifies rare earth search in California’s Mojave region

Locksley Resources (ASX: LKY) is preparing to undertake an aggressive exploration program in 2024 at its flagship Mojave rare earth element (REE) project in California.

The Australian junior explorer is making its presence felt at Mojave, located just 1.4km from the Mountain Pass project, the only producing rare earth mine in the USA.

Comprising 201 claims, Locksley’s Mojave project is surrounded by the Mountain Pass mine site.

Mountain Pass currently delivers approximately 15% of global rare earth supply.

Exploration team mobilised

In late 2023, Locksley mobilised its exploration team to follow-up on previous results from Mojave.

A field program conducted in August identified multiple REE targets within the North Block of the Mojave project, while a recent stream sediment sampling program returned additional highly-anomalous total rare earth oxide results.

Locksley is also following up with sampling at six catchment areas it identified in the North Block as prospective for ongoing REE exploration.

The current program is designed further investigate the results from the North Block to isolate their potential outcropping source.

As well as collecting further stream samples in 2024, Locksley is undertaking reconnaissance rock chip sampling upstream from the previouslyy-identified catchments shedding REE.

Key appointment

Subsequent to the end of the reporting period, Locksley made a key appointment naming experienced Denver-based technical and executive leader Matt Hartmann to the role of president of US operations to oversee the company’s technical and commercial activities in the country.

Mr Hartmann brings more than 20 years of global mineral exploration and project development experience, including previous roles at Sweetwater Royalties, SRK Consulting, Westwater Resources, Uranium Resources and Strathmore Minerals.

Locksley’s non-executive chair Nathan Lude says Mr Hartmann is well-known to him and brings a strong background in technical direction and management of numerous mineral exploration programs across North America to his new role.

“I have worked with Matt in the past and I’m very pleased that [he] has agreed to join the team at LKY,” Mr Lude said.

“Matt’s experience, skills, and network in both the technical and commercial arenas will contribute very positively to our efforts to grow the company.”