High-Grade Antimony Results Boost Locksley’s U.S. Critical Minerals Ambitions
Locksley Resources has reported outstanding high-grade antimony assay results from its Desert Antimony Mine in California, with samples reaching up to 26.1% Sb. This breakthrough supports the company’s plans for a pilot plant aimed at domestic production critical to U.S. defense needs.
- Batch sampling at Desert Antimony Mine yields up to 26.1% antimony
- Weighted average grades significantly exceed previous results
- 287 kg of material collected for metallurgical testwork and pilot plant design
- High-grade primary antimony mineralisation confirmed, rare in global context
- Results align with U.S. strategic goals for critical mineral independence
Exceptional Sampling Results at Desert Antimony Mine
Locksley Resources Limited (ASX, LKY) has announced a major milestone in its Mojave Project with the release of batch sampling assay results from the Desert Antimony Mine (DAM) in California. The samples returned exceptional antimony grades, peaking at 26.1% Sb, a substantial improvement over previous sampling that averaged around 7.6%–7.8% Sb. The combined weighted average across all samples was 18.7% Sb, underscoring the high-grade nature of the deposit.
This batch sampling program collected a total of 287 kilograms of material, specifically targeting stibnite-rich veins within historic underground workings. The high-grade results not only validate the presence of primary antimony mineralisation but also provide critical data to optimise metallurgical processes and pilot plant design.
Strategic and Operational Implications
Antimony is a critical mineral with significant demand from the U.S. Department of Defense and energy sectors, yet the United States currently lacks domestic production. The DAM deposit’s high-grade, primary antimony mineralisation is a rarity globally, where most antimony is recovered as a byproduct of polymetallic mining.
These elevated grades offer operational advantages, including reduced energy consumption and smaller equipment requirements for processing. Faster flotation kinetics and simplified flowsheets are expected to enhance recovery rates and reduce capital expenditure for the planned 2026 pilot plant. This positions Locksley to potentially deliver premium antimony concentrates with lower reagent costs, a key competitive edge.
Next Steps Toward Domestic Production
Locksley plans to use the collected batch samples for advanced flotation and crushing testwork to finalise the processing flowsheet. The data will directly inform the engineering design of the Phase 1 pilot processing facility, a critical step toward establishing a domestic supply chain for antimony trioxide and trisulfide, both vital for U.S. defense applications.
With pad preparation complete and drilling imminent, the company is poised to advance its exploration and extraction activities. The project’s location in the Mojave Desert, adjacent to established rare earth element operations, further enhances its strategic value amid rising geopolitical urgency to diversify critical mineral supply chains away from China.
Broader Context and Market Positioning
Locksley’s integrated mine-to-market strategy combines resource development with innovative processing technologies and partnerships with U.S. research institutions. This approach aligns with national priorities for critical mineral independence and economic security. The high-grade assay results reinforce the project’s potential to become a cornerstone of U.S. antimony production, a market currently dominated by imports.
CEO Kerrie Matthews highlighted the significance of these results, noting the company’s transition from exploration to production readiness. The imminent arrival of drilling equipment and ongoing metallurgical optimisation mark an exciting phase for Locksley and its investors.
Bottom Line?
As Locksley advances toward pilot plant commissioning, the high-grade antimony results set the stage for a potential revival of U.S. domestic antimony production.
Questions in the middle?
- How will metallurgical testwork refine recovery rates and processing costs?
- What timelines are anticipated for transitioning from pilot plant to commercial production?
- How might evolving U.S. policy on critical minerals impact project funding and partnerships?
