Australia & Allies Back Gallium Project to Counter China

Alcoa will construct a gallium production facility at its Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia with support from Australia, Japan, and the United States. The project aims to diversify the global supply of gallium, a critical mineral used in electronics and defense technologies. This development follows a critical minerals pact signed last year between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump.

The new plant will initially produce 100 tonnes of gallium annually, meeting approximately 10% of global demand. Currently, gallium supply is highly concentrated, creating vulnerabilities in the supply chain. Australia is financing the project through Export Finance Australia’s Critical Minerals Facility, alongside investment from Japan and the US.

This project, along with Arafura Rare Earths’ expanded operations, represents a key step in securing resilient supply chains for essential minerals. The Australian government has identified gallium, antimony, and rare earths as crucial for clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and military applications.