Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) is looking to expand its DeepSolv program to test multiple antimony feedstocks at different processing stages as well as from multiple sources, including its very own Mojave Project in California.
The company recently held meetings on its expansion plans with Rice University’s Professor Pulickel Ajayan, the Executive Vice President for Research, along with the Technology Transfer Office, and representatives from Rice Public Affairs at the university site in Houston, Texas.
The parties engaged in a project workshop to launch an upcoming works program, focusing on the development of DeepSolv to extract and refine antimony feedstocks, as well as evaluating antimony-based materials to be used in advanced energy storage applications.
Chairman Patrick Burke says the company’s recent visit to Rice University marks an “important milestone” in the mine-to-market strategy ahead of strengthening the US’ supply to antimony and rare earths.
“By formally commencing our collaboration with Rice University and incorporating additional ore supply secured through our agreement with EV Resources, we have laid the foundation for a practical and accelerated testwork program,” Burke says.
“These initiatives position Locksley at the centre of developing a secure domestic supply chain, aligned with US government priorities.”
As reported by Mining.com.au earlier last month, the company entered a non-binding heads of agreement with EV Resources (ASX:EVR), investing $750,000 in exchange for EV’s ore supply to complement ore sourced from the Mojave Project.
Locksley intends to engage its DeepSolv processing method to validate its efficiency and resilience across a variety of ore.
The company has shared that it is currently furthering discussion with another mining group to further the technology’s evaluation.
Locksley Resources is a critical mineral explorer focused on advancing the Mojave Project in California for its reach into the rare earth and antimony market.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Locksley Resources
