Locksley Resources Partners with Rice University to Fast-Track Antimony Processing from Mojave Project
Locksley Resources (ASX: LKY) has initiated a US-focused downstream innovation strategy in partnership with Rice University to maximise the potential of its Mojave high-grade antimony project in California and secure domestic supply chains for critical minerals.
The strategy aims to develop pathways for domestic processing of US-sourced antimony to serve defence and other industries and advance its application in next-generation energy storage systems.
It also aims to address a critical supply chain gap at a time when the US lacks any commercial-scale antimony processing operations.
Dual-Initiative Agreement
Locksley’s project will advance its antimony capabilities through a dual-initiative agreement with Rice focused on the green hydrometallurgical extraction of antimony from mining feedstocks and the exploration of antimony-based materials for energy storage applications.
The integration of upstream development with downstream innovation provides a rare opportunity for Locksley to build a domestic mine-to-materials supply chain aligned with US strategic needs, while positioning it to access US government funding opportunities.
The agreement builds on Rice University’s proven capabilities in critical minerals programs, most recently demonstrated through a collaboration with Metallium (formerly MTM Critical Minerals, ASX: MTM) on the development of flash joule heating technology to maximise metals recovery from waste materials and ore.
US Mine-to-Market Strategy
Locksley chair Nathan Lude said the partnership with Rice University marked a pivotal step in executing Locksley’s US mine-to-market strategy.
“We are rapidly advancing our upstream strategy and helping to re-build downstream capacity through materials innovation which America urgently requires,” he said.
“Fast-tracking these dual initiatives allows us to unlock value from Mojave and play a direct role in sovereign independence of the US defence, energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure sectors.”
Essential for the production of ammunition, explosives and propellant, armoured vehicles, missile and electronic components, and flame-retardant materials used by the US defence sector, antimony has been included as a critical material in the Trump administration’s executive orders focused on increasing domestic mineral production and reshaping supply chains.
Antimony Processing First
Locksley is planning to establish the first US domestic antimony processing facility at Mojave, addressing a critical gap where around 95% of refined supply currently comes from countries outside of the US alliance network.
Located in California’s Mojave desert, the Mojave project comprises over 250 claims across the contiguous North Block/Northeast Block and El Campo prospect areas.
The North Block directly abuts claims held by US company MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of MP’s Mountain Pass mine, highlighting the area’s strong geological continuity and exploration potential.
The Mojave project hosts the historic Desert antimony mine, which last operated in 1937 and represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the US.