The United States and Australian governments recently advanced the development of a gallium plant to be co-located at Alcoa Corporation’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia.
The governments and Alcoa would provide funding and receive gallium offtake in proportion to their investment interests. Funding would be used for preparation of final feasibility studies, development and construction of the project, and other purposes. Definitive agreements for the gallium joint venture will be prepared among Alcoa, Sojitz Corporation, and the governments of the United States, Australia and Japan.
Gallium is naturally present in bauxite and is a critical mineral essential to technology. Global gallium production is concentrated from a single source.
“Alcoa has been a strong contributor to both the American and Australian economies and welcomes the opportunity to support both nations in progressing a new source of gallium,” William Oplinger, Alcoa president and CEO, said. “The investment support from the U.S. and Australian governments underscores Alcoa’s role in supporting the development of the critical mineral supply chain, and the importance of our Australian operations not only to the aluminum industry, but also as key to manufacturing, technology, and defense industries.”
Alcoa expects the plant will produce 100 metric tons of gallium annually.