Rio Tinto is undertaking a research and development project focused on extracting primary gallium from its alumina refining process in Quebec. This project received a conditional contribution approval from Natural Resources Canada as part of the Global Partnerships Initiative (GPI). This came to light after the firm had successfully extracted its first gallium in collaboration with Indium Corporation back in May 2025.

The construction of the pilot plant will start at its Complexe Jonquière in Saguenay, Canada. This aims towards testing the technology in a real-world industrial setting. It is estimated that the new facility will be up and running by 2027. Concurrently, the firm plans to build a demonstration plant at the same location, which will have the capacity to produce up to four tonnes of gallium each year.

The Canadian government approved a non-repayable contribution of up to USD 13.9 million dedicated towards the project. Additionally, USD 5.1 million will be provided, which was committed by the Government of Québec back in December 2024.

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Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, stated, “Research and development are essential to building the responsible and resilient critical mineral supply chains that power clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defence readiness.

He further adds, "By supporting innovative projects like those led by Rio Tinto, we are strengthening Canada’s leadership in technologies that reduce environmental impacts, improve productivity and build long‑term economic and security resilience."

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In the present scenario, primary gallium is in short supply worldwide, with global production hitting over 700 tonnes each year and is imported from outside North America. If the firm is able to ramp up to a commercial-scale plant, it can boost its output to 40 tonnes a year, which would account for about 5 per cent of the world's total production.

Owing to this, Rio Tinto Aluminium and Lithium, Chief Executive Jérôme Pécresse, said, "Our Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Québec, Canada, is a strategic asset for our integrated aluminium operations. Extracting gallium from our existing refining process would create additional value from this asset and strengthen the North American supply chain for gallium, a critical mineral used in everything from high-performance radars, to smartphones, electric cars and laptops."

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