Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY | OTYCQX:LKYRF | FSE:X5L) strengthens U.S. critical minerals position through Columbia University collaboration

Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY | OTYCQX:LKYRF | FSE:X5L) has expanded its U.S. based critical minerals development program through a new sponsored research agreement with Columbia University, adding an advanced rare earth recovery research program that complements its existing antimony partnership with Rice University.

The collaboration arrives at a time when the United States is accelerating policy support for domestic supply chains and committing major federal investment to innovative mining, processing and materials recovery technologies.

Together, these developments reinforce Locksley’s alignment with national priorities and enhance its ability to progress a mine to market strategy for rare earths and antimony across the Mojave desert in California.

Kerrie Matthews, Chief Executive Officer, discusses the technical scope of the Columbia partnership, its strategic fit within national initiatives, and how the recent U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) US$355 million funding announcement further strengthens the environment in which Locksley is operating.

How does the Columbia University partnership strengthen Locksley’s technical position in the United States?

The partnership strengthens our technical position by bringing Columbia University, a leader in sustainable mineral processing research , into our U.S. development pathway.

The research program will advance electrochemical recovery, CO2 assisted processing and AI enabled characterisation across rare earth bearing ores , including Locksley’s El Campo Prospect.

This capability complements our existing work with Rice University on antimony and broadens our technology base across two critical minerals that sit at the centre of U.S. defence, electrification and advanced manufacturing priorities.

By progressing both collaborations within the United States, we strengthen our position as one of the few Australian listed companies actively developing U.S. based processing solutions for two strategically significant minerals.

What specific processing innovations will be developed under this research program?

The program includes advanced mineral characterisation using spectroscopy and microscopy to assess mineralogical, compositional and morphological attributes of carbonatite, monazite and silicate ores.

This informs the design of tuneable electrochemical and CO2 assisted leaching systems that target dissolution efficiencies above eighty percent, followed by selective recovery of rare earths and co metals using pH swing and sorbent based separation methods.

To support potential deployment, Columbia will integrate techno economic assessment and life cycle analysis to identify optimal pilot scale pathways in alignment with Locksley’s mine to market development strategy.

The research will also evaluate AI driven ore mapping, selective trenching systems, autonomous precision cutters and AI supported rock recognition, reflecting broader Mine of the Future concepts under the Department of Energy and ARPA E.

How does the recent U.S. Department of Energy funding announcement affect the opportunity for Locksley and Columbia?

The DOE’s US$355 million funding announcement materially strengthens the operating environment for our collaboration.

The US$80 million Mine of the Future Proving Ground initiative aligns with AI based ore mapping and next generation mining systems, while the US$275 million allocation for large scale pilot demonstrations supports the type of processing pathways we are developing.

Because our research aligns closely with the scope of these funding opportunities, the announcement strengthens the relevance of our work within U.S. policy priorities and positions Locksley and Columbia to pursue suitable applications as the program advances.

How does this work align with United States Government funding initiatives and national priorities?

The collaboration aligns strongly with several major U.S. Government initiatives aimed at expanding domestic critical mineral capability.

The DOE’s three hundred and fifty five million dollar commitment to processing, sustainable mining and pilot scale technologies includes multiple areas that mirror the research underway at Columbia, particularly electrochemical extraction, AI enabled mapping and techno economic modelling.

Locksley and Columbia are preparing joint applications for suitable programs under ARPA E, the Defence Production Act Title III and related initiatives, allowing the research to progress within a supportive federal framework.

What is the strategic significance of combining the Columbia rare earth program with Rice University’s DeepSolv antimony work?

Together, the Columbia and Rice programs establish a dual commodity technology platform in the United States that integrates advanced rare earth recovery and green hydrometallurgical antimony extraction into a unified mine to market strategy.

Rice University is progressing the DeepSolv program for antimony and related energy storage materials, while Columbia is developing next generation electrochemical and AI integrated rare earth recovery systems.

These complementary research streams strengthen our overall processing platform and expand our exposure to U.S. based technology development.

“This collaboration with Columbia University expands our U.S. research partnerships into rare earths, complementing our DeepSolv DES work with Rice University on antimony. Together, these programs significantly strengthen the technical foundation of our U.S Mine to Market strategy and broaden our exposure to emerging American developed processing technologies.”

Columbia’s experience in progressing research toward applied outcomes through initiatives such as Carbon to Stone and Stone to H2 adds further depth to this combined approach.

What are the immediate next steps and how soon will technical work begin?

The implementation phase begins with the shipment of ore and concentrate samples from the Mojave Project to Columbia University for advanced mineralogical and electrochemical analysis.

The first governance meeting will be held in November to establish program parameters, responsibilities and intellectual property protocols.

Work will also begin on joint funding submissions under appropriate DOE and Department of Defence programs, including ARPA E and the Mine of the Future initiative.

Monthly meetings between Locksley and Columbia will maintain alignment between the technical research and our commercial objectives in the United States.

“The alignment of this work with current U.S Government priorities, including the DOE’s recent US$355 million funding initiatives, enhances our ability to engage with suitable programs as we progress towards pilot scale development.”

Forward outlook

The collaboration with Columbia University marks an important advancement in Locksley’s U.S. based critical minerals strategy, as it introduces a dedicated rare earth research capability that aligns closely with national priorities and complements our antimony work at Rice University.

By combining advanced mineral characterisation, electrochemical processing innovation and industry aligned deployment planning, the program strengthens our position within the United States’ growing critical minerals framework.

As this work progresses, Locksley Resources remains focused on advancing a sustainable, scalable and commercially grounded mine to market strategy that supports America’s long term energy, defence and advanced manufacturing needs.

Please note the following valuable information before using this website. 

Independent Research 

Market Open Australia is intended to be used only for educational and informative purposes, and any information on this website should not be taken as investment advice or guidance. It is important to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions, which should be based on your own investment needs and personal circumstances. Any investment decisions based on information contained on this website should be taken in line with independent financial advice from a qualified professional or should be independently researched and verified.