Locksley Appoints CEO and COO to Fast-Track Desert Antimony Mine Progress

Leadership Boost at a Critical Juncture

Locksley Resources has strengthened its executive team with the appointments of Kerrie Matthews as CEO and Danny George as COO, signaling a decisive move to accelerate development of the Desert Antimony Mine (DAM) in California. Both bring extensive experience in critical minerals and large-scale project delivery, positioning Locksley to fast-track its mine-to-market strategy in the United States.

Matthews’ track record includes leadership roles on BHP’s US$3.8 billion South Flank Project and Iluka’s pioneering Eneabba Rare Earths Refinery, Australia’s first fully integrated rare earths processing facility. Her expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and aligning projects with government priorities is expected to be instrumental in advancing DAM efficiently.

Operational Agility to Match Strategic Ambitions

Danny George complements this leadership with a strong background in feasibility studies and execution of engineering, procurement, and construction management contracts across mining and energy sectors globally. His experience with major players such as Vale, BHP, and Fortescue equips Locksley with the operational discipline and agility needed to bring the Desert Antimony Mine into production swiftly and cost-effectively.

George’s expertise in rapid mobilisation and capital-efficient project delivery aligns with Locksley’s ambition to respond promptly to the U.S. government’s urgent demand for secure antimony supply, a critical mineral essential for defense, energy transition, and advanced technologies.

Strategic Context and Market Opportunity

The United States currently lacks domestic antimony production despite its strategic importance. Locksley’s Desert Antimony Mine, located in the Mojave Desert, represents one of the highest-grade antimony occurrences in the country. The company’s recent metallurgical results, showing an 85.9% recovery rate, validate the project’s commercial potential.

Beyond conventional mining, Locksley is exploring innovative approaches such as modular mining and contract mining to accelerate early supply. Collaborations with institutions like Rice University’s DeepSolv™ program aim to establish downstream processing capacity in the U.S., addressing a significant supply chain gap where no large-scale commercial antimony processing currently exists.

Governance and Next Steps

Alongside these appointments, Technical Director Julian Woodcock has resigned to focus on his role at Viking Mines but remains involved as a consultant, ensuring continuity in technical guidance. Chairman Pat Burke highlighted that the new leadership team is pivotal for transforming the historic mine into a modern, integrated supply chain aligned with U.S. national security and energy priorities.

Locksley is advancing multiple parallel workstreams including financing, permitting, strategic partnerships, and technology development. The company aims to secure government and institutional support to underpin its vision of delivering 100% Made in America Antimony, a critical step in diversifying supply chains away from dominant global producers.