Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) has engaged US advisory group GreenMet, as part of the company’s strategy to advance the Mojave Critical Minerals Project in California.
The partnership will focus on targeting grant, loan, and offtake programs from the US’ Department of Energy, Department of Defence, Export-Import Bank, and Department Finance Corporation.
Locksley, which has a market capitalisation of $78.67 million, says the partnership represents a milestone for the company as it positions the Mojave Project at the heart of the US’ national security and energy resilience strategy.
Chairman Nathan Lude says the appointment of GreenMet represents a step change for the company.
“Our mine-to-market strategy anchored by Mojave and our US collaboration with Rice University fits directly into US Government initiatives to secure resilient and domestic supply chains,” Lude says.
“This appointment significantly enhances our ability to access US Government and institutional support while further validating Mojave as a critical US project for defence, technology, and energy markets.”
GreenMet CEO Drew Horn says the US is accelerating efforts to secure domestic sources of critical minerals for defense and energy systems.
“The Mojave Project, coupled with Locksley’s downstream collaboration with Rice University, has the potential to become a cornerstone of the US supply chain,” Horn says.
Locksley signed a sponsored research and development deal with Rice University, focusing on green hydrometallurgical extraction of antimony from mining feedstocks and exploration of antimony based materials to be used in energy storage applications.
As Mining.com.au reported, Locksley will supply US$550,000 ($847,273) of project funding over the next year to support developing intellectual property, which will be under a joint ownership.
The Mojave Project comprises 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas in the Mojave Desert of California, US.
Locksley Resources is a critical minerals explorer advancing discoveries across the Mojave Project, targeting rare earths and antimony.
There are currently no primary antimony mines operating in the US. As a result, the nation relies heavily on imports and recycled materials through several assets.
Antimony is a critical mineral for the US, used in flame retardants for military and consumer goods, as an additive for lead-acid batteries, and in emerging technologies such as liquid metal batteries.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Locksley Resources
