Alcoa explores feasibility of gallium critical mineral production in WA
(Posted on 11/08/25)
Alcoa of Australia Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcoa Corporation has announced a Joint Development Agreement with Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Sojitz Corporation and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, to explore the feasibility of a gallium project to be co-located at one of Alcoa’s operating alumina refineries in Western Australia.
Alcoa is a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminium products.
Gallium is a highly sought-after mineral, supporting a wide range of important industries and efforts, including the technology sector, particularly semiconductors, as well as the defence industry.
Australia and the United States have both recognised gallium as a critical mineral. Additionally, Japan has identified gallium as one of 35 minerals important to national security.
Currently, gallium production is concentrated in China with market controls introduced in 2023 heightening global interest in alternative supply chains.
Alcoa of Australia President Elsabe Muller said the JDA partners were assessing the potential for a co-located facility to expand global supply of gallium as an existing by-product of the alumina refining process in Western Australia.
“This opportunity could deliver additional value from our established operations and further demonstrate how Alcoa's longstanding mineral processing capabilities can be significant in supporting state, national and global objectives in technology and national defense,” said Ms. Muller. “We welcome the opportunity to work with the JAGA partners, including Sojitz, who has considerable connection with midstream gallium refiners and manufacturers and would be an offtake customer in the project.”
Sojitz Metals, Resources and Recycling Divisional Chief Operating Officer Osamu Matsuura said the project had the potential to introduce supply options for Japanese semiconductor production critical to global downstream processing and manufacturing.
Subject to further commercial agreements and regulatory approvals, the JDA partners are targeting a final investment decision by the end of 2025 and to begin production in 2026. Alcoa’s participation in the JDA is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
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