Environmental group questions aspects of Alcoa's Western Australia gallium project

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An environmental advocacy group has raised questions about Alcoa Corporation's planned gallium production project in Western Australia, citing concerns over the proposed expansion of mining activities and the suitability of the region's bauxite resources for gallium extraction following the project's final investment decision.

The comments were made by the Jarrahdale Forest Protectors (JFP) after Australia, Japan and the United States, together with Alcoa, confirmed plans to establish a gallium production facility at the company's Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia.

According to the organisation, expanding gallium production from the region could result in additional mining activity across the Northern Jarrah Forest and the Darling Range if legislative changes are introduced to support future operations.

A spokesperson for JFP said there was "a very high risk that the State and Federal Governments will create the legislative power to allow Alcoa to continue to strip mine the Northern Jarrah Forest and increasingly the whole Darling Range area." The organisation added that such an outcome could affect the Jarrah Forest, which it described as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.

The group also questioned the resource characteristics of the bauxite being mined in Western Australia, noting that gallium naturally occurs in bauxite deposits around the world.

"In natural deposits, gallium typically occurs at concentrations of 30-80 parts per million within bauxite, the primary ore for aluminium production," the spokesperson said.

The organisation added that the Northern Jarrah Forest contains lower-grade bauxite than many other mining regions and argued that gallium extraction involves multiple refining stages that require significant energy input. It also questioned why gallium production from Western Australian bauxite had been recognised as a national security priority when higher-grade bauxite resources are available elsewhere.

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Government-backed project targets critical mineral supply

The environmental group's comments follow the final investment decision by the governments of Australia, Japan and the United States, together with Alcoa Corporation, to develop a gallium production facility at the company's Wagerup alumina refinery.

The plant will be constructed and operated by Alcoa and will utilise the company's alumina refining and advanced mineral processing capabilities to produce gallium, a critical mineral used in semiconductors, defence technologies, telecommunications, artificial intelligence applications, LEDs, lasers and solar energy systems.

According to Alcoa, the project is intended to provide an additional and reliable source of gallium at a time when global production remains heavily concentrated.

"The facility will create a new, reliable source of gallium to support partner governments' efforts to strengthen critical mineral supply chains," an Alcoa spokesperson said. 

President and Chief Executive Officer William F. Oplinger said the project reflected collaboration between governments and industry to strengthen supply chain resilience.

"This final investment decision reflects a shared commitment by governments and industry to strengthen critical mineral supply chains among the partners," he said. 

"The project underscores the strategic importance of Western Australia and the role Alcoa's operations play in delivering critical materials essential to the global economy," he added. 

Construction of the gallium production facility is expected to begin following the completion of final site preparations. Alcoa also said its participation in the joint venture, including its role as construction and operating manager, is not expected to have a material impact on the company's financial position or results of operations.

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