Locksley Resources Limited, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange as ASX:LKY, has formalized a significant collaboration with Columbia University aimed at enhancing its rare earth element (REE) processing capabilities in the United States. This partnership, announced on November 17, 2025, marks a pivotal step in Locksley’s strategy to develop innovative and sustainable processing technologies for critical minerals in the Mountain Pass region of California.
Collaboration Details
Under a Sponsored Research Agreement, Locksley Resources will work alongside Columbia University to advance next-generation recovery and separation technologies. The collaboration will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for ore characterization, innovative electrochemical recovery techniques, and CO2-assisted mineral processing, aiming to address the limitations of traditional processing methods that are not based in the U.S.
This initiative complements Locksley’s existing partnership with Rice University, focusing on its green DeepSolv™ antimony processing program. The unified approach aims to create a dual-commodity technology development strategy that enhances the company’s mine-to-market platform for critical minerals.
The research will receive guidance from Professor Greeshma Gadikota, Director of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy at Columbia and a noted expert in electrochemical processing technologies. Professor Gadikota stated, “Our team is excited to collaborate with Locksley Resources on developing scalable, low-impact pathways for rare earth recovery.”
Strategic Importance and Financial Commitment
The collaboration is strategically important as it aligns with the U.S. government’s recent funding initiatives, including the Department of Energy’s (DOE) US$355 million announcement to support domestic critical minerals production. This funding includes the US$80 million “Mine of the Future – Proving Ground” initiative, which encourages innovation in sustainable mining technologies.
Locksley Resources has committed US$150,000 over the next year to support the development of intellectual property under this agreement. This funding will help ensure the successful integration of advanced processing technologies, which are crucial for U.S. supply chain independence, especially regarding minerals essential for defense and clean technology applications.
The collaborative program will focus on three main goals: detailed characterization of REE-bearing ores, development of efficient leaching systems, and the creation of a field deployment strategy. Columbia will integrate AI-enabled ore mapping and low-impact mining technologies, aligning with the objectives of several federally funded U.S. initiatives.
Kerrie Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of Locksley Resources, highlighted the collaboration’s significance, stating, “This partnership expands our U.S. research into rare earths and strengthens our technical foundation as we progress towards pilot-scale development.”
As the collaboration advances, several immediate activities are planned, including the shipment of ore samples from the Mojave Project to Columbia for advanced analysis and the establishment of program parameters through governance meetings.
Locksley Resources, through this partnership with Columbia University and its ongoing collaboration with Rice University, positions itself as a key player in the critical minerals sector in the U.S. Together, these initiatives support the development of innovative processing technologies that are essential for meeting the growing demand for REEs and antimony in various industries.
The Mojave Project, located in California, is a significant focus for Locksley, targeting both rare earth elements and antimony. With the U.S. striving for critical mineral independence, the outcomes of this collaboration will play a crucial role in shaping the future of domestic mineral processing.
