Regulatory Hurdles Remain as Locksley Advances Mojave Critical Minerals Exploration
Locksley Resources has gained critical regulatory approval and secured contractors to advance its Mojave Project, accelerating exploration of antimony and rare earth elements in California.
- Plan of Operations approved pending bond finalization for Desert Antimony Mine drilling
- Drill contractor secured for Q4 2025 El Campo rare earths program
- Comprehensive LiDAR surveys completed underground to guide mine design
- Underground sampling planned to validate historical antimony grades
- Regional exploration expanded over 40 sq km with geophysics and sampling underway
Regulatory Milestone Unlocks Drilling Program
Locksley Resources Limited (ASX – LKY) has taken a significant step forward in its quest to supply critical minerals to the U.S. market, announcing the Bureau of Land Management’s approval of an expanded Plan of Operations for its Desert Antimony Mine (DAM) in California. This approval, contingent on the completion and acceptance of a bond payment, clears the way for an upsized drilling campaign aimed at delineating high-grade antimony mineralisation. Antimony, a metal vital for defense and semiconductor applications, has no current domestic production in the U.S., making Locksley’s progress strategically important.
Advancing Rare Earths Exploration at El Campo
Alongside antimony, Locksley is advancing exploration for rare earth elements (REEs) at its El Campo prospect, situated along a geologically promising corridor near the Mountain Pass Mine. The company has secured a drilling contractor for Q4 2025 to target structurally controlled mineralised horizons identified through previous high-grade rock chip sampling. The planned drilling program aims to test multiple locations along an 860-metre lode, potentially unlocking new sources of REEs critical for clean energy technologies.
Innovative Surveying Enhances Targeting and Planning
To support these drilling efforts, Locksley has completed detailed LiDAR surveys of underground workings at DAM, producing precise 3D models of historic adits and stopes. This advanced mapping technology not only informs drill targeting but also aids future mine design, enhancing the efficiency and safety of operations. Complementing this, an underground sampling program is set to validate historical grade data, providing greater confidence in the resource potential.
Expanding Regional Exploration Footprint
Beyond the immediate mine site, Locksley is broadening its exploration footprint across more than 40 square kilometres of the Mojave corridor. The company is evaluating a suite of geophysical techniques, including airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys, to identify additional mineralised zones. Stream sediment and rock chip sampling programs are also underway, aiming to uncover new anomalies that could signal further antimony and rare earth deposits.
Strategic Alignment with U.S. Critical Minerals Goals
CEO Kerrie Matthews emphasised the company’s fast-track mine-to-market strategy, highlighting the importance of delivering near-term U.S. antimony supply to critical defense and energy sectors. With geopolitical pressures to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, Locksley’s Mojave Project is well positioned to contribute to U.S. mineral independence. The combination of regulatory progress, technical advancements, and expanded exploration activities underscores the company’s commitment to unlocking value in this highly prospective region.
Bottom Line?
Locksley’s next moves, finalising bond payments and commencing drilling, will be pivotal in translating exploration momentum into tangible resource growth.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the bond payment be finalized and the Plan of Operations fully activated?
- What initial results can be expected from the Q4 2025 drilling programs at El Campo and DAM?
- How might the expanded geophysical surveys reshape the understanding of mineralisation across the Mojave corridor?
