How Locksley’s New Antimony Deal Could Reshape U.S. Critical Minerals Supply

Strategic Partnership to Secure Antimony Supply

Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) has taken a significant step toward strengthening the U.S. critical minerals supply chain by entering into a non-binding Heads of Agreement with EV Resources Limited (ASX:EVR). This agreement aims to secure a steady supply of beneficiated antimony ore from EVR’s Los Lirios operations, complementing Locksley’s own Desert Antimony Mine project in Mojave, California.

The move is part of Locksley’s broader mine-to-market strategy designed to support the U.S. defense and energy sectors, which rely heavily on antimony for various applications including metal alloys and semiconductors. With no current domestic antimony production in the U.S., this partnership could play a pivotal role in reducing dependence on foreign sources, particularly from China.

Advancing Proprietary DeepSolv™ Processing Technology

Central to this collaboration is Locksley’s proprietary DeepSolv™ solvometallurgical processing technology, developed in partnership with Rice University. The agreement ensures diversified ore feedstock, which is critical for validating and scaling the DeepSolv™ process across multiple ore types. This diversification enhances the resilience and efficiency of downstream refining, a key factor in meeting the stringent quality requirements for defense-grade and energy-grade antimony products.

Rice University’s involvement in testing and refining the process underscores the technical rigor behind Locksley’s approach. Access to EVR’s ore samples will accelerate testwork and help demonstrate to U.S. government stakeholders the practical delivery of non-Chinese feedstock through advanced domestic processing.

Investment and Future Outlook

Contingent on finalizing a binding Ore Sales Agreement and securing EVR shareholder approval, Locksley plans to make a strategic investment of A$0.75 million in EV Resources. This investment not only solidifies the commercial relationship but also aligns both companies toward a long-term supply partnership that could underpin a USD $1 billion-plus domestic antimony market.

Locksley’s Chairman, Pat Burke, highlighted the strategic importance of this agreement, emphasizing how it complements the Mojave development and accelerates the U.S. return to domestic antimony processing. The partnership positions Locksley as a key player in reshaping North American critical minerals supply chains, a priority amid rising geopolitical tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Broader Implications for U.S. Critical Minerals Security

The Desert Antimony Mine, part of Locksley’s Mojave Project, is one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S. By integrating ore from both domestic and North American sources, Locksley aims to build a resilient and secure supply chain that supports U.S. strategic objectives. This initiative aligns with broader governmental efforts to reduce reliance on foreign critical minerals and enhance economic and defense security.

As the company advances its maiden drilling program and downstream processing validation, the market will be watching closely to see how quickly these developments translate into tangible production and supply capabilities.