Locksley Resources has the green light to drill historic California antimony mine as US hungers for the critical metal

• Locksley Resources gets green light to begin drilling for antimony at the Desert Antimony Mine
• The program will include three RC holes targeting known high-grade structures within the historical producing mine.
• It marks the first modern drilling test of the deposit’s subsurface extent

Special report: Drilling approval has been received from the Bureau of Land Management, paving the way for exploration at the historical Desert Antimony Mine within California’s Mojave Desert.  

The approved program includes three reverse circulation drillholes aimed at high-grade structures identified from historical workings and surface assays.

Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY / OTCQB LKYRF) plans to test high-grade antimony zones, where up to 46% Sb have been returned, along with eight samples over 17%.

The Desert antimony drilling will be undertaken alongside Locksley’s rare earth program at El Campo, with both campaigns scheduled to begin in the September quarter.

First modern testwork

This work marks the first modern test of the deposit’s subsurface extent.

First mined in 1926–27 and again briefly in 1939, the Desert Antimony Mine remained largely untouched, held back by the technology of the time and weak market demand.

Today, antimony holds ‘critical mineral’ status in the US, thanks to its key role in everything from defence systems to batteries, semiconductors and fire safety materials.

With China supplying 82% of global antimony and the US lacking domestic production, the Desert Antimony Mine presents a strategic opportunity to re-establish sovereign access to this critical mineral.

Locksley believes the project’s favourable location, grade and regulatory standing make it a strong candidate for development.

US policy support

In March, an executive order was signed by US President Donald Trump to accelerate permitting pathways for domestic critical minerals projects.

The order provides streamlined Bureau of Land Management assessments, enhanced federal coordination and eligibility for support under mechanisms such as the Defense Production Act Title III as well as other DoE Critical Material programs.

The framework has fast-tracked Locksley’s drill permit for the Desert antimony project, shortening approval timelines and enhancing the company’s access to potential US federal funding opportunities.

Locksley steps up as US seeks antimony supply

LKY chairman Nathan Lude said securing this permit isn’t just a technical milestone but a strategic one.

“The Desert Antimony Mine has sat dormant for nearly a century, but today we’re bringing it back into focus with the benefit of modern exploration techniques and a tailwind of federal policy support,” he said.

“With antimony now recognised as vital to national security and supply chain resilience, this project puts Locksley in a strong position to help fill a domestic supply gap.”

The Desert Antimony Mine and El Campo are located in arguably the most strategically significant location in the United States, sitting a stone’s throw from the MP Materials owned Mountain Pass mine, America’s only rare earths operation.

Since making the move into Mojave, Locksley has captured plenty of mojo, lifting 255% YTD and still has plenty of upside if it is to follow the enormous move of its neighbour Dateline Resources (ASX:DTR), which is now capped at $330m post President Trump’s Executive Order in relation to the Colosseum mine.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.