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.
Latest News
IFA Innovation Hub launches landmark report to accelerate fertilizer innovation
(Posted on 18/06/26)The IFA Innovation Hub, a platform of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), has released Fertilizer... Read more
CPKC signs transportation agreement with BHP
(Posted on 12/06/26)BHP, the world’s largest mining company, has announced that Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC... Read more
US Grains Council and USCP explore feed uses for sorghum in Malaysia and Vietnam
(Posted on 11/06/26)The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) and United Sorghum Checkoff Programme (USCP) have... Read more
DNV launches next generation of Steel Load Planner with built-in AI cargo optimisation
(Posted on 09/06/26)Classification society DNV released version 2 of its award-winning Steel Load Planner (SLP V2.0) self... Read more
Trafigura half year results demonstrate value of diversified platform
(Posted on 07/06/26)Trafigura Group Pte Ltd. a global leader in the commodities industry, has released its results for the... Read more
Cargill strengthens in Belgium with manufacturing hub
(Posted on 07/06/26)In a move that underscores Cargill’s commitment to the Belgian market, the company announced two... Read more
SSAB delivers decarbonised steel to Vattenfall’s solar park project in Germany
(Posted on 29/05/26)SSAB is supplying decarbonised steel to Vattenfall for the construction of the ground-mounted solar... Read more
NGFA statement on STB’s decision to conditionally accept rail merger application
(Posted on 29/05/26)In accordance with the Surface Transportation Board’s merger rules, the Board has conditionally... Read more
EU feed production market forecast highlights continued stability
(Posted on 25/05/26)FEFAC market experts are forecasting continued stability in the EU compound feed production market for... Read more
Fertilizer Action Plan: recognition must now translate into delivery
(Posted on 22/05/26)Fertilizers Europe has acknowledged the European Commission’s Fertilizer Action Plan, which recognises... Read more
