Locksley Resources Accelerates Desert Antimony Prospect Development in California

Strategic Insights -

Locksley Resources, an Australian-based company, has submitted an expanded Plan of Operations to the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for its Desert Antimony Prospect, part of the Mojave Critical Minerals Project in California. This move marks a significant step in the company's efforts to develop the project, which is strategically located near the only currently operating rare earths mine in the US, MP Materials' Mountain Pass Mine. The company's chairman, Nathan Lude, expressed confidence in the project's potential, citing the recent oversubscribed capital raising and the company's well-positioned location to take advantage of America's drive to secure domestic supply chains for critical materials.

Key Takeaways:

  • Locksley Resources submitted an expanded Plan of Operations to the US BLM for its Desert Antimony Prospect in California, marking a significant step in the project's development.
  • The Desert Antimony Prospect is part of the Mojave Critical Minerals Project, which is located three kilometers northeast of MP Materials' Mountain Pass Mine, the only currently operating rare earths mine in the US.
  • The company's chairman, Nathan Lude, emphasized the strategic location of the project, stating that it positions Locksley to take advantage of America's drive to secure domestic supply chains for critical materials.
  • Recent structural mapping and enhanced 3D modeling have enlarged the target footprint for drilling and support the objective of defining a JORC Exploration Target via further evaluation.
  • BLM approvals are anticipated this fall, with site preparation and drilling expected to commence rapidly thereafter.
  • Locksley Resources is an explorer focused on critical minerals, with assets in the US, and is actively advancing exploration at the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements and antimony.
  • The Mojave Project comprises more than 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect.
  • The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area.

Statistics:

  • 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas comprise the Mojave Project in California.
  • 46% Sb (antimony) and 1,022 g/t Ag (silver) are the grades reported in surface samples from the Desert Mine prospect.
  • 1937: The last year the Desert Antimony Mine operated.
  • 2025: The year in which Locksley Resources submitted the expanded Plan of Operations to the US BLM.
  • Limited antimony production: The current state of the US's antimony production.
  • High demand for antimony: The essential role of antimony in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys.
  • Strategic location: Locksley Resources' position near MP Materials' Mountain Pass Mine, the only currently operating rare earths mine in the US.

Sources:

  • Locksley Resources
  • PRNewswire