Locksley Resources has commenced a high-resolution helicopter magnetic and radiometric survey at its Mojave project in California, aiming to identify new drill targets for rare earths and antimony. This initiative, managed by Colorado-based EDCON-PRJ and directed by the Australian geophysical firm SGC, features flight lines spaced 40 meters apart and flown at an altitude of just 35 meters above the ground.
The survey utilizes a Eurocopter AS-350 B3 equipped with a magnetometer probe to enhance the exploration process. SGC is responsible for the entire data collection and processing, which will lead to crucial structural interpretations to inform the next drilling phase for Locksley Resources. This new survey is expected to provide five times the data density compared to previous surveys conducted by the United States Geological Society (USGS), which utilized 100-by-200 meter line spacings. The enhanced data quality is anticipated to reveal hidden mineralized structures that prior datasets may have overlooked.
The exploration strategy aims to advance the known prospects at El Campo REE and the Desert antimony mine (DAM). The magnetic readings will follow the north-northeast structures known to contain antimony at the DAM and Hendricks prospects. In parallel, the radiometric data will target anomalies in thorium levels, which often indicate the presence of rare earth-rich carbonatites.
Management highlights that their exploration efforts have already proven successful, as systematic mapping uncovered the high-grade Hendricks silver prospect, where assays revealed silver concentrations of up to 219 grams per tonne. Hendricks is located 2.5 kilometers east of the DAM, which last saw mining activity in 1937 and is one of only four high-grade antimony occurrences in the U.S. Earlier this year, rock samples from the old mine showed an impressive 46 percent antimony along with over 1 kilogram per tonne of silver, heightening interest in renewed exploration at Mojave.
Upon the helicopter”s return in early November, SGC will process the new data to establish additional drill targets for Locksley”s exploration campaign planned for 2026. This survey is part of a broader strategy that includes LiDAR mapping and the reprocessing of older gravity and satellite imagery to create a comprehensive 3D geological model of the Mojave project. Concurrently, Locksley is preparing to conduct a detailed mapping of the historical workings at the DAM. If underground conditions allow, the company plans to proceed with sampling and drilling in the following year to explore the potential resources hidden beneath the surface.
Kerrie Matthews, managing director and chief executive officer of Locksley Resources, stated, “Undertaking this high-resolution survey builds on the foundational datasets which Locksley is acquiring to fast-track exploration activities across Mojave. Our exploration strategy is to both advance the already identified El Campo REE and Desert antimony mine prospects through drilling, whilst simultaneously aggressively exploring across the rest of our claims to grow the project pipeline.”
The Mojave project is strategically located in the heart of the Mojave Desert, adjacent to the significant Mountain Pass rare earths mine, owned by MP Materials. This area shares a geological corridor recognized for its rich deposits of rare earths and antimony in the United States.
As the U.S. government intensifies its efforts to strengthen its domestic critical minerals supply chain amid a global supply crisis, antimony has gained prominence. Following an export ban from China, which supplies a substantial portion of global demand, antimony prices surged significantly. In this context, Locksley Resources is positioned advantageously as the only integrated mine-to-market antimony producer in the United States, combining resource development with advanced processing technologies. The company”s partnership with Rice University, a leader in advanced materials research, further bolsters its role in America”s pursuit of critical mineral independence.
As the helicopter navigates the Californian desert, the data it collects may hold significant implications for Locksley Resources” future discoveries. Investors and industry observers are likely to monitor the company”s progress closely.
