Alcoa Subsidiary to Explore Feasibility of Critical Mineral Production

The proposed gallium project will be co-located at one of Alcoa’s alumina refineries in Western Australia.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Alcoa of Australia Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcoa Corporation announced a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd (JAGA) to explore feasibility of a gallium project. JAGA is a joint venture between Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz) and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).

In Western Australia, one of Alcoa's alumina refineries will house the proposed gallium facility. As a byproduct of the processing of aluminum, gallium will be created.

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Final investment decisions are anticipated by the JDA partners by the end of 2025, pending the acquisition of required regulatory licenses. It is projected that the production will start in 2026. Alcoa's involvement is not anticipated to have a significant effect on the business's financial standing or operational outcomes.

The new business will add value to its current operations, according to Elsabe Muller, President of Alcoa of Australia. It also shows how Alcoa's long-standing mineral processing skills can be important in advancing national security and technological goals at the state, national, and international levels.

Gallium is currently mostly produced in China. Interest in alternate supply chains has increased as a result of the market controls implemented in 2023.

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