– Locksley Resources Enters into a Sponsored Research Agreement with Columbia University to Develop Advanced, Sustainable Processing Technologies for Rare Earth Elements (REE) and Critical Metals Recovery
– Research will integrate AI-driven ore characterization, innovative electrochemical recovery and CO2-assisted mineral processing to address the limitations of traditional, non-US processing methods
– The program complements Locksley’s existing green DeepSolv(TM) antimony processing partnership with Rice University, establishing a unified U.S. dual-commodity technology development strategy
– Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will support recommendations for scalable, low-impact pilots in the US
– Research focus areas align directly with critical funding mandates from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent $355 million funding announcement. Including the $80 million ‘Mine of the Future – Proving Ground’ initiative, supporting development, processing innovation and sustainable mining technologies
The research program will be led by Professor Greeshma Gadikota, director of the LenfestCentre for Sustainable Energy at Columbia University and a leading researcher in electrochemical and CO2-assisted mineral processing technologies.
Professor Greeshma Gadikota, lead researcher at Columbia University, noted:
“Our team is excited to collaborate with Locksley Resources to develop scalable, low-impact pathways for rare earth recovery. The combination of advanced electrochemical science, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled resource mapping and industry-tailored pilot design, provides a transformative route to sustainable production of critical minerals in the US.”
Program overview
The collaboration will develop an integrated technology platform for the advanced characterization, recovery and separation of REEs and transition metals from carbonate, monazite and silicate ores within the Clark Mountain District, the geological district that hosts both the El Campo Prospect and the adjacent Mountain Pass Mine.
The project has three main objectives:
– Characterization of ores: Detailed mineralogical, compositional and morphological studies of REE-bearing ores using advanced spectroscopy and microscopy as a basis for processing design.
– Technology development: Creation of tunable electrochemical and CO2-assisted leaching systems for >80% solution efficiency, followed by pH swing and sorbent-based selective recovery of REEs and co-metals.
– Field Implementation Strategy: Integrate TEA and LCA to identify scalable, low-impact pilot paths for mine-to-material deployment.
Columbia will also utilize AI-based ore mapping and low-impact mining technologies, including selective trenching systems, autonomous precision milling and AI-powered rock recognition, to evaluate new “Mines of the Future” concepts under active U.S. Department of Energy and ARPA-E frameworks.
Locksley will advance project financing of $150,000 over the next twelve months to support the development of the intellectual property under the agreement.
Strategic importance
This collaboration expands Locksley’s established US technology platform alongside Rice University’s DeepSolv DES processing program, expanding the company’s US university partnerships into both antimony and rare earths, two critical minerals central to the independence of the US supply chain.
This strategic positioning is further strengthened by DOE’s recent $355 million funding announcement to support domestic production of critical minerals, sustainable mining technologies, and pilot-scale processing development. Many of the Columbia program’s key research workstreams, including electrochemical extraction, AI-assisted ore mapping, and TEA/LCA frameworks, are directly aligned with the objectives of the DOE initiatives.
Together, the Rice and Columbia University programs position Locksley as one of the few Australian-listed groups actively advancing U.S. processing of critical minerals, particularly focused on defense, energy storage and clean technology applications.
The research focus closely aligns with the technical and strategic priorities of several major federally funded US initiatives, including:
– DOE, ARPA-E and Office for Fossil Energy Carbon Management
– DoW Defense Production Act Title III
– U.S. Department of Commerce and NSF Critical Minerals and Emerging Technologies programs
Locksley and Columbia are jointly pursuing DOE and DoW funding pathways for pilot-scale process development and demonstration, with Columbia’s commercialization track record (via Carbon To Stone and Stone To H2) providing a strong foundation for applied results.
Downstream processing integration
Together, the Columbia and Rice University programs support Locksley’s advanced processing strategy in the United States. Rice University’s work in green hydrometallurgical extraction of antimony and advanced energy storage materials directly complements Columbia’s electrochemical extraction of rare earths, creating a unified dual-route platform for American-controlled critical mineral processing.
Kerrie Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of Locksley, said:
“This collaboration with Columbia University expands our U.S. rare earth research partnerships and complements our DeepSolv(TM) DES work with Rice University in the field of antimony.
Together, these programs significantly strengthen the technical foundation of our U.S. Mineto-Market strategy and broaden our exposure to emerging American-developed processing technologies. Aligning this work with current U.S. government priorities, including the DOE’s recent $355 million funding initiatives, increases our ability to engage with appropriate programs as we progress toward pilot-scale development. This represents an important step in supporting domestic mineral supply chains essential for defense, electrification and advanced manufacturing.”
Next steps
This collaboration is now entering its implementation phase, with several short-term activities planned to initiate the technical and commercial workstreams, including:
– Shipment of ore and concentrate samples from the Mojave Project to Columbia for advanced mineralogical and electrochemical analysis.
– The first board meeting between Locksley and the Columbia research team will take place in November and establish program parameters and IP protocols.
– Joint preparation of applications for appropriate DOE and DoW funding initiatives under the ARPA-E and Mines of the Future initiatives, to support pilot-scale development and field deployment.
– Monthly meetings will ensure strong alignment between academic research and Locksley’s US mine-to-market commercialization strategy
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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