Locksley Launches Four-Hole Drilling Program Targeting 12.1% TREO at El Campo

Drilling Commences at El Campo Rare Earth Element Prospect

Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY, OTCQX: LKYRF, FSE: X5L) has commenced a diamond drilling program at the El Campo Rare Earth Element (REE) Prospect, part of its Mojave Project in California. This marks the company's first systematic drill testing at El Campo, with four initial diamond drill holes planned to evaluate the depth and lateral continuity of sheared carbonatite-hosted REE mineralisation along approximately 900 metres of strike.

Previous surface sampling at El Campo returned high-grade results, with total rare earth oxides (TREO) reaching up to 12.1%, highlighting the prospect's potential. The drilling is expected to take around three weeks, with initial assay results to be delivered shortly after completion.

Strategic Location Near Mountain Pass REE Mine

El Campo is strategically situated about four miles southeast of MP Materials’ Mountain Pass REE Mine, one of the world’s most significant rare earth operations. This proximity places El Campo within a well-established mineral province in a Tier-1 jurisdiction, offering excellent access to existing infrastructure and processing expertise.

Locksley’s Technical Director, Ian Stockton, noted that the drilling program is an important step in advancing the rare earth potential of the Mojave Project. He emphasised that the program will provide the first subsurface data to assess mineralisation continuity and inform the project’s development potential.

Supporting US Critical Minerals Supply Chain

The drilling at El Campo aligns with Locksley’s broader strategy to advance domestic US supply of critical minerals, which are designated by the US government as vital for defence, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy technologies. The company’s efforts contribute to national security and supply chain resilience by targeting critical mineral resources within the United States.

This initiative complements Locksley’s ongoing work at the Desert Antimony Mine (DAM), where the company recently achieved a breakthrough in producing 99.5% pure antimony trioxide, a key step toward restoring a fully domestic US supply chain for antimony. The metallurgical optimisation program at DAM runs alongside the Mojave Project’s exploration activities, reflecting an integrated approach to critical minerals development Locksley Advances U.S. Antimony Supply with 99.5% Pure Trioxide Breakthrough.

Next Steps and Exploration Outlook

Following the completion of drilling at El Campo, Locksley plans to conduct geological logging, sampling, and assay analysis. The results will be integrated into a 3D geological model to guide follow-up exploration programs. Additionally, the company will compile geological data from its Desert Antimony Mine drilling and continue metallurgical testwork focused on developing a trisulphide product for the US defence industry.

While the drilling program is fully funded and underway, the actual resource potential and economic viability of the El Campo prospect remain uncertain until assay results are received and analysed. The company has cautioned that visual exploration results are not a substitute for laboratory analyses, and forward-looking statements carry typical exploration risks.