Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) advances Mojave ambitions as U.S. policy tailwinds strengthen

Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) is moving swiftly to advance its Mojave Critical Minerals Project in California, with a structural geology team deployed this week to undertake second-stage mapping and target generation.

The renewed field push comes as Washington sharpens its focus on domestic supply of critical minerals, offering a fortuitous backdrop for the Perth-based explorer.

Highlights

The Mojave project sits on over 250 claims adjoining MP Materials’ Mountain Pass rare earths mine, the only operating producer of separated rare earths in the U.S. Locksley’s tenements host both rare earth element potential and the historic Desert Antimony Mine, which last operated in 1937 but still boasts surface grades of up to 46 per cent antimony and over a kilogram per tonne of silver.

Antimony is increasingly viewed as a material of national security importance, given its use in defence, semiconductors and alloys.

Yet the U.S. has no domestic production, leaving it reliant on China, Russia and Tajikistan. Rare earths are in a similar position, with supply security at the centre of U.S. policy.

The timing of Locksley’s fieldwork is notable, on 13 August, the Department of Energy announced US$1 billion in new funding to bolster domestic supply chains.

Meanwhile, President Trump’s executive order on “Unleashing American Energy” prioritises permitting and fast-tracking of critical minerals projects in tier-one jurisdictions such as Mojave.

Chairman Nathan Lude said:

“The deployment of our structural geology team for the second time in 2025 marks an important milestone in advancing Mojave. At the same time, U.S. policy settings are shifting strongly in favour of projects like ours, with substantial DOE funding initiatives, supportive permitting frameworks and direct engagement opportunities with EXIM Bank and the Department of Interior.”

Locksley has also applied for membership with the U.S. Critical Materials Institute, which would open doors to collaborations with research organisations and funding pathways.

Scheduled meetings with EXIM Bank and the Department of the Interior further underscore the company’s pursuit of financing and permitting solutions under the Defence Production Act and FAST-41 frameworks.

The next steps include completion of mapping, ongoing processing studies, and participation in the DOE’s critical minerals workshop.

In short, Locksley Resources is positioning Mojave not just as another exploration play, but as a potential cornerstone of U.S. supply independence.

For investors with an eye on geopolitical trends, the combination of high-grade geology, prime jurisdiction and policy alignment makes Locksley a name to watch.