– Accelerates 100% U.S. mine-to-market supply by establishing a scalable processing path to bring U.S. antimony products to market
– Secures immediate processing capabilities through a Tier 1 US metallurgical and defense materials supplier (Hazen Research Inc.)
– Promotes key research including pilot plant design, commercial analysis and toll processing, supported by Rice University’s Antimony Processing Research
– Produces representative product samples for qualification at US industrial and defense companies, strengthening Locksley’s position as building a fully integrated supply chain for antimony from the Americas, supported by EXIM and US processing partnerships
– Collaboration with Hazen Research Inc. supports the U.S. government’s goals to rebuild domestic processing of critical minerals, aligning Locksley with White House and Department of Defense priorities for restoring U.S. antimony production
This agreement provides a means to secure immediate processing capacity while simultaneously continuing design, construction and associated commercial-scale development studies.
The MoU provides a framework for collaboration on the following key operational work streams:
– Validate process performance and recovery efficiency under semi-continuous or batch operating conditions
– Confirm the metallurgical response and optimization of process parameters
– Generate representative product samples for chemical, physical and environmental characterization
– Produce data to support the design criteria and economic evaluation for future pilot or commercial operations
– Toll handling of ore during ongoing pilot and commercial plant development phases
The execution of this MoU is in line with the company’s strategy to accelerate production timelines, reduce the risks of early processing activities and advance the project towards commercialization.
Danny George, COO of Locksley, commented:
“We are pleased to formalize this MoU with Hazen Research Inc. following our recent collaboration to cast a 100% American billet. This MoU represents an important step in de-risking our ore processing strategy and accelerating the path to revenue. By securing toll processing capacity in the United States, we can begin generating operational data and products while our pilot and commercial scale plant development continues in parallel.
This approach allows us to maintain project momentum, optimize metallurgical performance and provide early market supply, enabling the company to efficiently and safely deliver value to shareholders. We look forward to working closely with Hazen Research Inc. as we move towards full commercial operations. The U.S. government’s clear priority on domestic production of critical minerals provides a strong backdrop for our accelerated implementation. We are moving forward with the right partners, the right timing and a clear commercial intent.”
Bring multiple concurrent workflows to stable production
With the successful validation of the 100% American Antimony rod, as part of our execution strategy, Locksley Resources will now advance concurrent workflows towards production, including payroll processing, starter plant and commercial plant development.
In addition, the company’s management team recently personally engaged with US-based Tier 1 engineering firms, EPCM contractors and implementation partners to further develop the project delivery strategy.
Simultaneously with the toll production operation, the company is also actively promoting the development of the pilot/start-up plant, based on the results of the ongoing metallurgical test work.
These parallel workflows are intended to accelerate the transition from pilot operations to commercial production, shorten the development pipeline and provide early operational insights to optimize future plant performance. This next phase will support offtake readiness and qualification for domestic supply contracts, further positioning Locksley as a pioneer in restoring U.S. antimony production and processing capacity.
The company’s collaboration with Rice University continues in parallel, supporting the optimization of hydrometallurgical extraction parameters and the development of antimony-based materials. Locksley’s Mojave Project represents one of the few known high-grade, primary antimony deposits in the continental US, offering a fast track to production and a strategic alternative to Chinese-controlled supply chains.
Next steps:
The parties will now continue discussions to formalize definitive agreements for toll processing, with the aim of starting operations in accordance with the project’s development schedule. With government-backed funding, strategic U.S. processing partnerships with Hazen and Rice University, and a rapid development trajectory in motion, Locksley is entering its most transformative phase. The company is uniquely positioned to deliver one of the first all-America antimony supply chains, moving from mine validation to market readiness on an accelerated timeline.
About Hazen Research Inc:
Hazen Research, Inc., headquartered in Golden, Colorado, is a leading independent research and development organization known for its technical excellence and innovative capabilities in mineral processing and downstream refining. Founded in 1961,
Hazen has more than six decades of experience providing laboratory, pilot plant and analytical services to the global minerals, metals, energy and chemicals sectors.
The company specializes in developing and optimizing process flow diagrams, including hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical and electrometallurgical refining routes for both basic and critical minerals.
About Locksley Resources Limited:
Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY,OTC:LKYRF) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX-listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The company is actively advancing exploration of two key assets: the Mojave project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly promising mineral region.
Mojave Project
Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project includes more than 250 claims spread across two contiguous prospect areas, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block is directly adjacent to MP Materials’ claims, while El Campo lies along the Mountain Pass Mine strike and is surrounded by MP Materials’ claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area.
In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project is home to the historic “Desert Antimony Mine,” which last operated in 1937. Although the United States currently has no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sampling results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest known antimony occurrences in the US
Locksley’s North American position is further strengthened by the increasing geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE and antimony production. With the first drilling program now planned, the Mojave project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security.
Tottenham project
Locksley’s Australian portfolio includes the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, targeting VMS-style mineralization
Source:
Locksley Resources Limited
Contact:
Kerrie Matthews
General manager
Locksley Resources Limited
T: +61 8 9481 0389
Kerrie@locksleyresources.com.au
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