Locksley Resources strengthens US team with experienced executive appointed to lead Mojave REE project

Locksley Resources (ASX: LKY) has made a key appointment to help unveil the significant potential of its large American rare earth elements (REE) opportunity.

Locksley has named experienced Denver-based executive Matt Hartmann as its president of US operations to oversee the company’s technical and commercial activities in that country.

Mr Hartmann brings more than 20 years of global mineral exploration and project development experience with his previous roles including vice president of technical services for Sweetwater Royalties, where he ran exploration activities across 4.5 million acres of mineral tenure in the USA.

He has also held senior technical leadership roles with SRK Consulting, Westwater Resources, Uranium Resources and Strathmore Minerals.

Strong technical background

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.”

“REE are deemed as critical minerals by the US government and are crucial in the production of high-tech manufacturing.”

“We believe we have a significant opportunity to explore and develop high grade REE at the Mojave project and by securing the services of an experienced, technical operator like Matt, we are giving the company every chance of success.”

On-ground leadership

Mr Hartmann said that with critical minerals such as REE expected to be in high demand over future years he is looking forward to leading Locksley’s on-ground activity at the Mojave project.

“There are encouraging results in both rock-chip and stream sediment assays within the project area and I am looking forward to getting on the ground in the near future for the planned drilling program at El Campo,” he said.

“The projects are uniquely positioned within very close proximity to North America’s only operating REE mine and the largest producer of high-grade rare earth materials in the western hemisphere, delivering approximately 15% of global rare earth supply.”

“With high-grade rock chips of over 12% at the El Campo prospect, I’m hopeful that we can create real success through the drill bit.”

High-quality neighbourhood

Located in its namesake desert in California, Locksley’s Mojave Project is in the same neighbourhood as the largest and only currently operating rare earth mine in the US, the MP Materials-operated Mountain Pass project.

In late November, Locksley commenced a follow-up sampling program over the North Block at the Mojave Project where work previously returned seven anomalous results ranging from 1,030 parts per million to 2,600ppm total rare earths oxides.

Those results opened a new area of REE potential in the North Block – a large area of 164 claims totalling 14.9 sq km – and highlighted the potential for additional high-grade rare earth mineralisation in the area.

The company is well-funded and with Mr Hartmann at the helm is ready for a highly active year of exploration at Mojave.