Alcoa Australia gallium production moves from study to strategy

Alcoa Australia

Alcoa Australia gallium production enters feasibility with Jogmec and Sojitz. The Alcoa Australia gallium production plan targets first output in 2026 from a Western Australia alumina refinery. As a result, Alcoa Australia gallium production could diversify supply away from China’s export controls.

Feasibility targets 2026 output from alumina byproduct

Alcoa and Jogmec will assess gallium recovery from Bayer-process streams. The partners aim for commercial readiness in 2026. Sojitz plans to offtake gallium for downstream customers. Meanwhile, Alcoa will leverage existing refinery infrastructure to reduce capex and commissioning risk.

Export controls accelerate non-Chinese gallium supply chains

China’s 2023 export controls reshaped gallium trade and pricing. Therefore, Western Australia offers strategic diversification for defense and semiconductor buyers. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon need assured gallium access for RF, radar and power electronics. In turn, Sojitz can channel volumes into Asian and US demand centers.

Global semiconductor and defense programs require reliable III-V materials. Consequently, a byproduct route lowers cost and improves resilience. Gallium from alumina refineries also scales with alumina throughput. However, project success hinges on recovery rates, impurity control and long-term offtake terms.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This project aligns resource security with brownfield efficiency. Watch pilot recovery data, ESG metrics, and binding offtake pricing. If Alcoa validates steady yields, Western Australia could anchor a durable non-Chinese gallium corridor.