Locksley Confirms High-Grade Antimony Continuity at Desert Mine
Locksley Resources has reported strong surface assay results from its Desert Antimony Mine in California, confirming continuity of high-grade antimony mineralisation and supporting ongoing drilling efforts.
- Surface grab samples show peak antimony grades up to 16.90% Sb
- High-grade stibnite mineralisation confirmed along strike and above historic workings
- Results validate and refine current diamond drilling program
- Advances mine-to-market strategy for U.S. domestic antimony supply
- Ongoing metallurgical testing and pilot processing facility design underway
Surface Sampling Validates High-Grade Antimony Potential
Locksley Resources Limited (ASX: LKY) has announced encouraging assay results from surface grab samples collected at the historic Desert Antimony Mine, part of its Mojave Project in California. The samples returned consistently high antimony (Sb) grades, peaking at 16.90%, confirming the continuity of high-grade stibnite mineralisation along strike and above the previously mined underground workings.
This surface confirmation is significant as it supports the geological model underpinning the company’s maiden diamond drilling program, currently underway. By validating the presence of mineralised veins at surface, Locksley can better target drilling locations and refine its 3D geological framework, a critical step towards defining a viable resource.
Strategic Importance of Antimony and U.S. Supply Chain
Antimony is a critical mineral with applications in flame retardants, batteries, and strategic alloys. The Desert Antimony Mine’s location within the United States aligns with national priorities to secure domestic supply chains for critical minerals. Locksley’s mine-to-market approach aims to re-establish U.S. production capacity, reducing reliance on foreign sources and supporting energy and defence sectors.
Non-Executive Technical Director Ian Stockton highlighted the milestone nature of commencing diamond drilling, emphasizing the project’s potential to become a significant critical minerals hub. The integration of surface sampling results with ongoing drilling will help clarify the deposit’s scale and structural complexity.
Next Steps and Development Pathway
Locksley plans to progressively report assay results from the diamond drilling program as they become available, further refining the geological model. Concurrently, core samples will support metallurgical and processing test work aligned with U.S. Department of Energy initiatives. The company is also advancing design and tender processes for a Phase 1 pilot processing facility, aiming to demonstrate scalable extraction and processing capabilities.
While surface grab samples provide promising early data, they are not a substitute for comprehensive resource estimation. The ongoing drilling campaign will be pivotal in confirming the extent and grade continuity of the mineralisation, informing future development decisions.
Overall, these results reinforce Locksley’s strategic positioning in the critical minerals sector and underscore the growing importance of domestic antimony supply in the U.S. market.
Bottom Line?
As drilling progresses, Locksley’s Desert Antimony Mine could become a cornerstone of U.S. critical mineral independence.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming diamond drilling results impact the resource estimate and project economics?
- What are the expected timelines and scale for the pilot processing facility?
- How might Locksley’s mine-to-market strategy influence U.S. antimony supply chains amid global demand?
