Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) partners with Rice University to fast track U.S. antimony processing and energy storage innovation

Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY | OTCQB:LKYRF) has entered into a strategic partnership with Rice University to accelerate development of U.S. antimony processing and utilisation.

The initiative is designed to establish the first modern domestic processing capability for antimony in the United States while also advancing its role in next-generation energy storage.

With the majority of U.S. antimony imports currently sourced from China and the mineral recognised as critical to national defence and energy resilience, the collaboration positions Locksley at the forefront of an urgent supply chain priority.

To provide investors with clarity on the announcement, Chairman Nathan Lude has responded to several key questions regarding the program and its next steps.

Why did Locksley choose Rice University as its strategic partner?

Rice University was chosen because of its global reputation in materials science, nanotechnology and energy innovation.

The institution has a proven ability to take cutting-edge research from the laboratory into real-world applications and has recently demonstrated its capability in critical minerals through its work with MTM Critical Minerals on the Flash Joule Heating technology.

Rice is a global leader in advanced materials, battery tech,, and eco-friendly extraction technologies, making them the ideal partner for this initiative.

“Rice University has a long tradition of advancing materials science from the laboratory into real-world applications, and this partnership with Locksley represents an important step in that journey.”

What exactly are the two “Thrusts” of this collaboration with Rice University?

The partnership is structured around two targeted initiatives, referred to as “Thrust 1” and “Thrust 2”.

Thrust 1 focuses on the development of green hydrometallurgical extraction methods for antimony, specifically low-energy and environmentally benign solvent extraction processes that can be applied to U.S.-sourced feedstocks, including material from the Mojave Project.

This directly addresses the absence of a modern domestic processing capacity in the United States despite growing demand.

Thrust 2 is dedicated to exploring antimony’s application in energy storage, with research into advanced electrode materials and composite architectures for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors and hybrid power modules.

Together, these programs integrate upstream resource development with downstream innovation, creating a mine-to-materials pathway that directly supports U.S. strategic objectives.

“Fast-tracking these two research Thrusts allows us to unlock value from our Mojave asset and play a direct role in sovereign independence of the US defense, energy and AI infrastructure sectors.”

How does this initiative align with U.S. Government priorities and funding opportunities?

Antimony is recognised on the U.S. critical minerals list, which is supported by executive orders focused on reshaping supply chains and expanding domestic production.

At present, 90 to 95 percent of refined antimony supply comes from outside the U.S. alliance network, and 79 percent of imports are sourced from China, which has further tightened export and transshipment controls.

By advancing domestic processing capacity, Locksley is directly addressing a systemic vulnerability in the U.S. supply chain, aligning its work with defence, energy and advanced technology needs.

This alignment strengthens the company’s ability to engage with government stakeholders and enhances its eligibility for a broad range of potential funding opportunities dedicated to critical minerals and sustainable technologies.

“By combining Rice’s expertise in advanced materials with Locksley’s resources, we can address a critical supply chain gap, accelerate commercialization and build global collaborations that strengthen both U.S. energy resilience and the future of sustainable technologies.”

What financial commitments has Locksley made to support this partnership?

Locksley has committed US$550,000 over a 12-month period under the legally binding Sponsored Research and Development Agreement.

This funding provides the resources required to advance both Thrust 1 and Thrust 2. An important feature of the agreement is that all intellectual property developed through the collaboration will be jointly owned by Rice and Locksley.

This structure ensures the outcomes of the program deliver direct benefits to the company and its shareholders, while also supporting Rice’s broader research objectives.

The joint ownership arrangement creates a pathway for commercialisation opportunities that could emerge from antimony processing and materials innovation.

What are the next steps for Locksley in this U.S. strategy?

Locksley has a clear roadmap to progress the program.

These include appointing a U.S. Advisory Board to provide strategic oversight, deepening engagement with government agencies to ensure alignment with policy and funding priorities and establishing commercial licensing pathways for intellectual property developed under the agreement.

The company will also advance industry engagement and strategic partnerships to broaden the program’s support base.

On the technical front, Locksley is focused on meeting development milestones, delivering pilot scale projects and demonstrating processing scalability.

Together, these actions position the company as a first mover in modern U.S. antimony processing

capacity and to build a sustainable supply chain that can support defence, energy and advanced technology sectors.

Building Momentum in the U.S. Critical Minerals Strategy

The collaboration with Rice University represents a pivotal milestone in Locksley Resources U.S. strategy.

By combining high-grade antimony from the Mojave Project with cutting-edge research into processing and advanced energy applications, the company is moving to establish a secure domestic supply chain at a time of heightened strategic need.

With funding committed, intellectual property jointly owned, and a clear roadmap for government engagement, licensing and pilot development, Locksley is positioned to play a direct role in strengthening U.S. independence in critical minerals.

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