Locksley Doubles Mojave Landholding Next to Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine

Strategic Expansion in a Critical Minerals Hotspot

Locksley Resources has announced a major expansion of its landholding in California’s Mojave Desert, staking an additional 249 claims that nearly double its strategic footprint to over 40 square kilometres. This move places Locksley’s tenure directly adjacent to MP Materials’ Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine, the only producing rare earths mine and processing facility in North America. The expanded landholding significantly enhances Locksley’s position within one of the most geopolitically important critical minerals corridors in the United States.

Diversified Mineral Potential

The newly acquired claims not only abut the Mountain Pass mine but also include ground prospective for antimony, rare earth elements (REEs), polymetallic, and precious metals. Notably, a separate claim package lies just 3 kilometres north along strike from Dateline Resources’ Colosseum Gold Project, an area with documented polymetallic and precious metals occurrences according to US Geological Survey data. This diversification broadens Locksley’s exploration pipeline and aligns with growing U.S. government initiatives to secure domestic supply chains for critical minerals.

Geological Rationale and Next Steps

Locksley’s technical team has prioritized these claims following detailed geological reviews and structural mapping, highlighting favourable gneissic and carbonatite geology known to host rare earth mineralisation. The presence of significant regional structures may provide pathways for REE-bearing mineralisation, enhancing the prospectivity of the area. The company is now focused on completing claim registration with federal and state agencies, integrating new geological data, and designing sampling programs slated for the fourth quarter of 2025. Permitting efforts are also underway to fast-track drilling approvals.

Positioning for U.S. Critical Minerals Security

With the U.S. increasingly prioritizing supply chain resilience for critical minerals, Locksley’s expanded footprint offers a compelling platform for both upstream exploration and downstream processing opportunities. The adjacency to MP Materials’ Mountain Pass claims not only provides geological continuity but also potential strategic partnerships in processing rare earths and other critical minerals. Technical Director Julian Woodcock emphasised that this expansion places Locksley in a strong position to advance a diversified pipeline aligned with U.S. strategic objectives.

Looking Ahead

As Locksley prepares for its maiden drilling program and further exploration activities, the company is well positioned to contribute to the evolving U.S. critical minerals landscape. The expanded Mojave Project complements Locksley’s Australian Tottenham Copper-Gold Project, underscoring its commitment to discovery and development across multiple jurisdictions.