Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) has begun its maiden drilling campaign at the El Campo prospect within its Mojave Project in California.
The company has mobilised earthworks contractors to begin site preparations, which will cover five diamond drillholes, targeting the down dip continuity of breccia zones bearing rare earth elements (REE), as well as the shear structures mapped and sampled at surface.
Drilling intends to gather geological data to validate the exploration model while also extending known mineralisation at depth.
The Bureau of Land Management has accepted the required reclamation bond for the Desert Antimony Mine, allowing Locksley to progress with expanded drilling.
CEO Kerrie Matthews says the beginning of this drilling campaign ends 2025 with “strong momentum” for Locksley.
“By commencing operations at El Campo and finalising the bond for Desert Antimony Mine, we have effectively opened two fronts for exploration,” Matthews says.
“To maximise efficiency and reduce mobilisation costs, the company has structured a sequential drilling campaign.
“The diamond drill rig at El Campo will mobilise directly to the Desert Antimony Mine prospect upon completion of the El Campo REE program.”
As reported by Mining.com.au, domestic supply of antimony in the US is virtually non-existent, with China accounting for almost half of the world’s supply. Around 90% of global antimony production is controlled by China, Russia, and Tajikistan.
Chinese export bans have created significant supply risks for Western nations.
Locksley has poured its first antimony ingot recently, marking it as the first US made ingot in decades.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Locksley Resources
