Locksley Resources and the Quest for Antimony Self-Sufficiency: A Strategic Move to Mitigate Geopolitical Risks

Antimony, a critical mineral essential for advanced battery technologies, flame retardants, and defense applications, has long been a geopolitical vulnerability for the United States. With 90-95% of refined antimony imported from outside the U.S. alliance networkLocksley Resources forms US alliances to establish domestic antimony supply chain^[1], the nation's reliance on foreign supply chains—particularly from China, which dominates global antimony production—poses significant risks. Locksley Resources, a Canadian-listed exploration company, is addressing this gap through its Mojave Project in California, aiming to establish the first domestic mine-to-market antimony supply chain in the U.S. This initiative not only aligns with national security priorities but also presents a compelling investment opportunity in an era of critical mineral scarcity.

A High-Grade Antimony Deposit with Proven Potential

The Mojave Project, located in California's Inyo County, includes the historic Desert Antimony Mine, which produced high-grade antimony ore in the early 20th century. Recent metallurgical testwork on samples from the site has confirmed its viability, with some samples containing up to 46% antimony and demonstrating high recovery ratesLocksley Resources Limited Paves Pathway to 100% Made in America Antimony^[2]. These results validate the project's potential to serve as a reliable feedstock for a domestic supply chain. Drilling, scheduled to commence in September 2025 following Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approvalsLocksley Resources forms US alliances to establish domestic antimony supply chain^[1], will further delineate the resource base, a critical step for advancing the project toward production.

Strategic Partnerships to Secure the Supply Chain

Locksley's strategy extends beyond mining. In a non-binding Heads of Agreement with EV Resources, the company has secured a long-term supply of beneficiated antimony ore, ensuring a stable input for its proprietary DeepSolv™ processing technologyLocksley Resources: Securing US Antimony Supply Chain^[3]. This partnership is pivotal for reducing reliance on foreign intermediaries and accelerating the development of a closed-loop supply chain.

Equally significant is Locksley's collaboration with Rice University, funded by a $550,000 investment over 12 monthsLocksley, Rice advance US antimony plan^[4]. The partnership focuses on two initiatives: developing environmentally sustainable hydrometallurgical methods for antimony extraction and exploring the mineral's role in advanced energy storage systems. By pioneering green processing technologies, Locksley not only addresses environmental concerns but also positions antimony as a cornerstone of the U.S. clean energy transition.

Government Support and National Security Alignment

Locksley's efforts align with U.S. government initiatives such as the Defense Production Act (DPA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which prioritize domestic critical mineral productionLocksley Resources forms US alliances to establish domestic antimony supply chain^[1]. The Mojave Project's proximity to MP Materials' Mountain Pass rare earths mine—a key node in the U.S. critical mineral supply chain—further enhances its strategic value. By integrating antimony into this existing infrastructure, Locksley could leverage synergies with rare earths processing and reduce logistical costs.

Geopolitical Risk Mitigation and Investment Implications

The geopolitical risks of antimony dependence are stark. China controls over 80% of global antimony refining capacityLocksley And Rice University Announce Strategic Collaboration for ...^[5], and its export restrictions or trade tensions could disrupt supply to the U.S. Locksley's project directly addresses this vulnerability by creating a domestic source of antimony, a mineral classified as “critical” by the U.S. Department of Energy. For investors, this represents a dual opportunity: capitalizing on the growing demand for antimony in energy storage and defense applications while hedging against geopolitical volatility.

Conclusion

Locksley Resources' Mojave Project is more than a mining venture—it is a strategic response to a national supply chain crisis. By combining high-grade antimony deposits, innovative processing technologies, and government-aligned partnerships, the company is positioning itself to fill a critical gap in the U.S. critical mineral ecosystem. As the U.S. accelerates its transition to clean energy and strengthens defense capabilities, Locksley's antimony supply chain could emerge as a linchpin of economic and national security. For investors, the timing is fortuitous: with drilling set to begin in September 2025 and government support in place, the company is poised to deliver both strategic value and financial returns.