Alcoa breaks ground on gallium plant targeting 10% of global demand

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Alcoa and the governments of Australia, Japan and the United States have begun construction of a gallium production plant at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, targeting output equivalent to about 10 per cent of global gallium demand.

The facility is expected to produce 100 tonnes of gallium annually and will be constructed and operated by Alcoa. It represents a joint effort to establish a new allied source of the critical mineral for semiconductors, advanced electronics and defence applications. 

From alumina refinery to gallium source

The plant will be co-located with Alcoa’s Wagerup refinery, about 120 kilometres southeast of Perth. Rather than requiring a new mine, the operation will recover gallium from bauxite already processed to produce alumina, the feedstock for aluminium. 

Alcoa will use ion-exchange technology to extract gallium from a portion of the refinery’s liquor stream, then return the liquor to the alumina-refining process for reuse. The company says no additional bauxite mining will be required to supply the gallium facility. 

Australian Resources Minister Madeleine King said, “By unlocking gallium production from existing bauxite and alumina operations, Australia is building supply chains that bolster global technology, defence capability and economic security.”

Gallium is used in semiconductors, LEDs, advanced electronics, telecommunications, solar panels and defence technologies. Its production is currently concentrated, increasing interest among governments and manufacturers in developing alternative supply sources. 

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Australia, Japan and US back supply chain

The project follows a final investment decision announced in July and was identified as a priority under the US-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths. 

Japan’s involvement includes Japan Australia Gallium Associates, a venture involving Sojitz Corporation and the Japanese government. Australia is providing financing through Export Finance Australia under its Critical Minerals Facility. 

Alcoa Australia President Elsabe Muller said the project demonstrates international cooperation to diversify gallium supply.

“Alcoa is proud to work alongside our partners in Australia, Japan and the United States to help diversify the global gallium market", she stated. 

She also added that the development highlights Western Australia’s role in supplying materials needed by the global economy.

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Jobs and project footprint

The development is expected to create about 200 construction jobs and approximately 20 direct operational jobs. 

The gallium plant will occupy about three hectares of already-cleared land within the Wagerup refinery footprint, representing less than 2 per cent of the refinery’s overall site. Five production trains are planned to be developed in phases within an enclosed shed. 

Alcoa said the Western Australian environmental regulator has granted a works approval for the construction and operation of the plant. The company expects no material change to the refinery’s bauxite-residue storage, while emissions from the project are expected to comprise water vapour, hydrogen and oxygen. 

The project is now moving from investment approval into construction, but its output and commissioning timeline remain subject to project execution and forward-looking risks identified by Alcoa.

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