How Locksley and Rice University Aim to Revolutionize US Antimony Supply

A Strategic Move to Secure US Antimony Supply

Locksley Resources Limited (ASX, LKY) has taken a significant step toward establishing a sovereign US supply chain for antimony, a critical mineral essential to defense and energy applications. The company announced a formal partnership with Rice University, a leader in materials science and nanotechnology, to develop domestic processing technologies that could transform the US antimony landscape.

Currently, the United States imports approximately 90-95% of its refined antimony, predominantly from China, which has tightened export controls amid geopolitical tensions. This dependency poses strategic risks, especially given antimony’s vital role in ammunition, flame retardants, and advanced electronics. Locksley’s initiative aims to fill this critical gap by leveraging its Mojave Project in California, home to one of the highest-grade antimony deposits in the country.

Dual Research Thrusts Targeting Innovation and Sustainability

The collaboration with Rice University is structured around two main research thrusts. The first focuses on developing green hydrometallurgical extraction methods, low-energy, environmentally friendly processes to extract antimony from ore. This approach is designed to revive US-based processing capacity, which currently does not exist at commercial scale.

The second thrust explores antimony’s potential in next-generation energy storage technologies, including lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and hybrid power modules. This research could open new markets for antimony beyond traditional uses, aligning with broader trends toward sustainable and resilient energy systems.

Aligning with US Government Priorities and Funding Opportunities

The partnership aligns closely with US government initiatives aimed at securing critical mineral supply chains, as highlighted in recent executive orders. By advancing both upstream mining and downstream processing innovation, Locksley positions itself to access a range of government funding and support programs. The company has committed US$550,000 over the next year to fund the research, underscoring its commitment to rapid development.

Rice University’s involvement brings world-class expertise, particularly through Professor Pulickel M. Ajayan, a renowned figure in nanotechnology and energy materials. The joint ownership of intellectual property developed under the agreement ensures both parties share in the commercial upside of any breakthroughs.

Implications for the US Critical Minerals Landscape

Locksley’s Mojave Project, located in the mineral-rich Mojave Desert, is strategically positioned near established mining operations, enhancing its exploration and development potential. The initiative could mark the first commercial-scale antimony processing capacity in the US, a milestone with significant implications for national security and industrial independence.

As global supply chains face increasing disruption, this partnership exemplifies how innovation and strategic collaboration can address systemic vulnerabilities. The integration of mining with advanced materials research offers a rare opportunity to build a resilient, domestic mine-to-market supply chain for a mineral critical to defense, energy, and emerging technologies.