Metlen Gallium Production Marks a Strategic Step for European Supply

Metlen

Metlen gallium production marks an important strategic shift in Europe’s critical minerals landscape. The Greek company has produced gallium for the first time at its Agios Nikolaos plant as a by-product of bauxite processing. The initial 5kg volume is small, but the significance is far larger than the tonnage. As a result, Metlen gallium production has become an early sign that Europe is trying to rebuild domestic gallium capability.

This development matters because European gallium supply has remained heavily exposed to China for years. Europe has lacked commercial-scale primary gallium production since 2016. Meanwhile, China’s export controls have tightened the market and increased supply anxiety across high-tech sectors. Therefore, gallium production in Greece is emerging as a strategically important industrial response.

The project also stands out because it is linked to an existing industrial base. Metlen is not building a stand-alone concept without feedstock. It is extracting gallium from bauxite processing at an operating site. Consequently, Metlen gallium production benefits from stronger industrial logic than a purely greenfield critical minerals project.

European Gallium Supply Could Gain a Rare New Domestic Anchor

European gallium supply could gain a much-needed domestic anchor if Metlen executes its ramp-up successfully. The company plans to continue increasing output through 2026, with a further 5-10t expected in 2027. It then aims to reach 50 t/yr by 2028. That would make Greece one of the largest gallium suppliers outside China.

The scale of that future output is highly significant for Europe. Metlen has indicated that full-capacity production could cover all European gallium imports. That would not only improve supply security. It would also give Europe more leverage in a critical material tied to semiconductors, electronics, and defense-related technologies. Therefore, European gallium supply may finally be moving from dependence toward limited strategic resilience.

The timing also strengthens the project’s relevance. China’s gallium export controls since 2023 have helped squeeze global availability and lift prices. Buyers now understand that niche metals can quickly become geopolitical chokepoints. As a result, even relatively small western gallium projects now carry outsized strategic value.

Gallium Production in Greece Shows How Europe May Rebuild Critical Minerals Capacity

Gallium production in Greece also shows a practical model for Europe’s broader critical minerals strategy. Instead of relying only on new mining projects, Europe can extract value from existing refining and processing chains. That approach may be faster, less capital-intensive, and easier to integrate into current industrial systems. Meanwhile, it can still strengthen supply chain security in meaningful ways.

Financial backing reinforces that strategic direction. The European Investment Bank has approved €90mn in financing for the project, including bauxite mining modernization and the new gallium facility. That support suggests Europe is willing to fund targeted projects that improve industrial sovereignty. Consequently, Metlen gallium production is becoming more than a company milestone. It is also a policy signal.

The broader lesson is clear for metals markets. Critical minerals security is no longer just about owning reserves. It is about processing capability, by-product recovery, and industrial coordination. Therefore, gallium production in Greece may become a template for how Europe rebuilds selected materials capacity under geopolitical pressure.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This is a small-volume development with large strategic implications. Gallium may be a niche metal, but its supply concentration has made it highly important. If Metlen reaches scale, Europe will have proven that by-product recovery can become a credible tool in critical minerals strategy.

Alcoa gallium refinery funding strengthens US-Australia critical minerals pact

Alcoa

Alcoa gallium refinery funding is emerging as a flagship project in the US-Australia critical minerals alliance. The planned Western Australia gallium plant will sit beside Alcoa's Wagerup alumina refinery and target first output in 2026. As a result, Alcoa gallium refinery funding positions the company at the centre of Western efforts to rebalance gallium supply away from China.

Alcoa gallium refinery funding underpins joint US-Australia-Japan strategy

The Alcoa gallium refinery funding will support feasibility, development and construction of a 100 t/yr gallium facility at Wagerup. The US and Australian governments will provide capital and receive gallium offtake in proportion to their stakes. Therefore, public funding directly links taxpayer support to strategic volumes of a critical semiconductor material.

Meanwhile, the project will be structured as a broader joint venture with Jogmec and Sojitz, extending Japan's role in supply security. The original August announcement already positioned Sojitz as a key offtake customer for gallium output from the alumina refinery. Now, Alcoa gallium refinery funding expands that concept into a four-government and industry partnership spanning the US, Australia and Japan.

China currently dominates gallium, having produced 750t in 2024 with 1,000t of capacity, according to USGS data. However, Beijing's decision to ban gallium exports to the US at the end of 2024 exposed the fragility of Western supply chains. As a result, governments are now willing to co-invest directly in mid-stream processing rather than rely solely on market signals.

Gallium refinery supports semiconductors, defense and clean energy

Gallium is essential for power electronics, solar cells and LED technologies that underpin the energy transition. In addition, gallium arsenide and gallium nitride semiconductors are crucial for military radar and precision-guided weapons. Therefore, Alcoa gallium refinery funding directly supports both decarbonisation and defence industrial base resilience.

The new refinery will extract gallium from existing alumina refinery streams, demonstrating how legacy assets can be upgraded for critical minerals. This integration limits greenfield risk and uses established infrastructure, power and workforce at Wagerup. At the same time, it aligns with the US and Australian goal to accelerate permitting by leveraging brownfield sites.

Under the broader minerals deal signed at the White House, Washington and Canberra plan to invest more than $3bn in critical supply chains. The programme spans mining, processing, faster approvals and joint geological mapping. Within that framework, Alcoa gallium refinery funding becomes a practical showcase of how policy, capital and industry can move together.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This project illustrates how quickly critical minerals policy is shifting from strategy papers to balance-sheet commitments. If execution stays on track, Alcoa's gallium refinery could become a template for integrating refining into existing bulk-materials sites. The key question now is whether similar government-backed models will follow for other bottleneck materials such as indium and rare earths.

Rio Tinto Gallium Extraction Project Aims to Diversify Supply Chain

Gallium

New North American Gallium Supply Targets China Dependency

Rio Tinto has initiated gallium extraction in partnership with Indium Corporation at a U.S. research facility. This marks the first milestone in Rio Tinto’s plan to establish a North American gallium supply chain. The project will advance toward pilot-scale production and a demonstration plant in Quebec, which could yield 3.5 t/yr of gallium.

Full-Scale Rio Tinto Gallium Extraction Could Reach 40 t/yr

The commercial vision includes up to 40 t/yr of gallium output at Rio Tinto’s Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Canada. This volume represents up to 10% of global gallium production and could significantly reshape global market dynamics. Gallium is vital for semiconductors, LEDs, solar cells, and defense applications.

Geopolitics Driving Urgency in Gallium Diversification

China dominates gallium production, generating 750t in 2024 with capacity nearing 1,000 t/yr. However, recent Chinese export restrictions have disrupted global supply, especially after Beijing banned gallium exports to the U.S. in late 2024. Rio Tinto’s gallium extraction project is a direct response to mitigate this supply risk.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Rio Tinto’s gallium initiative signals a major step toward reshoring critical mineral supply chains. As China tightens export controls, North America must accelerate efforts to build independent capabilities in high-tech materials like gallium and indium.

China’s Gallium Expansion Slows as Germanium Supply Diversifies: Key Market Insights

China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMA)

The Chinese gallium (Ga) production expansion has encountered significant hurdles, while germanium (Ge) supply sources are increasingly diversifying to mitigate feedstock shortages. According to Li Yilan, a senior analyst at the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMA), the pace of new gallium production projects in China has slowed due to decreasing Ga content in bauxite, the primary feedstock for gallium extraction. As a result, many production projects have been delayed, and some that did launch have scaled back or halted operations altogether. However, the diversification of germanium supply chains signals a shift in how the industry is adapting to global demand pressures.

Slowdown in Gallium Production Expansion

China’s gallium output for 2024 is forecast to reach 950 tons, a 14% increase compared to the previous year. Despite this increase, the growth rate of gallium production capacity has slowed considerably. In particular, China’s gallium capacity rose by 40% this year, but the full realization of this capacity has been hindered by difficulties in securing sufficient feedstock from bauxite. The lower Ga content in bauxite has made it harder for producers to maintain a consistent supply of gallium, forcing many projects to delay their timelines or reduce output.

The demand for gallium, particularly from the magnet manufacturing sector (which consumes 46% of the metal), has increased gradually over the past two years. Additionally, the rise in demand for gallium oxide phosphor in electronics has offset the reduced demand from the solar cell sector. This demand shift has been a key factor in the slight increase in Chinese gallium exports, which rose by 35% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2024, totaling 48.4 tons. This increase is partly due to disruptions in last year’s exports caused by the country’s export control schemes, which limited overseas shipments.

Germanium Supply Diversification and Emerging Markets

While gallium production faces slowdowns, germanium’s supply chain is showing signs of diversification, especially as producers look beyond China for feedstock. Tight feedstock availability in China has prompted several producers to seek alternative sources for germanium. Notably, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s state-owned mining company, Gecamines, has begun exporting germanium concentrates to Belgium. This move is part of a broader trend of extracting germanium from non-traditional sources, such as copper-cobalt ores in the Congo and coal and nickel in Indonesia. These new extraction routes are expected to increase the overall supply of germanium.

China’s germanium output is projected to exceed 200 tons in 2024, up from 190 tons the previous year. Strong demand from the infrared and solar cell sectors, which use germanium in various applications, has driven prices upward in recent months. However, the rapid rise in prices has caused a significant drop in exports. Between January and September 2024, China exported just 18.8 tons of germanium, a 46% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. Higher prices and more stringent export license procedures have pushed international buyers to explore other sources for germanium, further boosting the trend toward diversified supply.

Conclusion

The global markets for gallium and germanium are undergoing significant shifts, with production challenges in China affecting gallium’s expansion and leading to a diversification of germanium supply chains. While gallium demand remains steady, especially from magnet and phosphor industries, production issues are slowing the pace of growth. On the other hand, germanium's increasing extraction from countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Indonesia is easing the reliance on Chinese supply. The metal markets are adapting, and these dynamics will likely continue to influence pricing and production trends in the coming years.

Atalco to boost US alumina, gallium production

Atalco

Atalco to boost US alumina, gallium production after securing $450mn to restart capacity and add new critical minerals output. Atalco to boost US alumina, gallium production by restoring its Louisiana refinery to nameplate levels and installing a new primary gallium circuit. As a result, Atalco to boost US alumina, gallium production as Washington pushes harder for resilient domestic supply chains.

Atlantic Alumina will direct the funding to its Gramercy, Louisiana, refining site to return alumina production to 1.2mn t/yr. The company will also build a 50 t/yr gallium production circuit and upgrade mineral processing and power generation capability. Meanwhile, the company has not provided a public project timeline or detailed restoration plan.

Why alumina and gallium now sit in the same national security basket

Atalco to boost US alumina, gallium production because both materials matter for defense, aerospace, and semiconductors. The US has limited domestic alumina output relative to demand and no primary gallium production, which creates exposure during trade disruptions. Therefore, a restart at Gramercy could strengthen supply assurance for downstream aluminium and high-tech manufacturing.

Atalco operates the only US alumina refinery, which makes the site strategically important. The refinery processes bauxite, and gallium can be recovered as a by-product stream in alumina production. However, recovery performance and unit economics will depend on bauxite chemistry, circuit design, and sustained operating rates.

Funding structure and supply chain linkages signal a broader buildout

Atalco to boost US alumina, gallium production with a blended finance structure that mixes public and private capital. The Department of Defense is providing $150mn through an industrial base program, while the remaining $300mn comes from a private capital sponsor linked to Concord Resources. As a result, the project reflects a growing model where government anchors projects that private markets might otherwise delay.

Feedstock sourcing also matters for delivery certainty. Atalco receives bauxite from Jamaica through a joint venture, which supports continuity of supply while the US rebuilds midstream capacity. Meanwhile, parallel Louisiana efforts to recover gallium from red mud highlight a wider push to extract critical minerals from industrial waste streams, not just primary mines.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This project is a strategic restart with a dual benefit: aluminium supply resilience and new domestic gallium output. However, the market will judge success on execution speed and reliable gallium recoveries at scale. If Gramercy stabilizes operations, it could become a template for midstream critical minerals re-industrialization.

EIB to invest €90mn in Metlen gallium plant to rebuild Europe’s supply

Metlen gallium

EIB to invest €90mn in Metlen gallium plant as Europe pushes to secure critical minerals. The financing supports a new gallium facility in central Greece. As a result, EIB to invest €90mn in Metlen gallium plant signals faster EU-backed industrial reshoring.

Metlen will modernize bauxite mining and add gallium recovery as a by-product of processing. Meanwhile, the project targets commercial-scale output outside China. EIB to invest €90mn in Metlen gallium plant also strengthens the aluminium value chain in Europe.

Europe restarts gallium production after years of dependence

Europe has lacked commercial-scale gallium production since 2016. Germany and Hungary previously supplied the market from bauxite by-products. However, Europe now relies heavily on imports for semiconductor and defense applications.
China tightened gallium exports in 2023 under new controls. Therefore, buyers faced tighter availability and higher procurement risk. Prices rose sharply as supply flexibility narrowed.

What 50 t/yr gallium means for semiconductors and defense

Metlen plans to reach up to 50 t/yr of gallium by 2028. This volume could cover Europe’s current import needs. As a result, chipmakers and advanced materials users gain a nearer supply option.

Gallium supports high-performance semiconductors such as GaN and other critical technologies. Meanwhile, defense and energy transition demand increases scrutiny on supply security. The project must still execute on ramp-up, recovery yields, and operating stability.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Europe is moving from policy talk to industrial capacity in gallium. However, the market will judge this project on ramp reliability and cost discipline. If Metlen delivers, Europe gains leverage in a tightly controlled metal.

ERG Mitsubishi gallium supply deal reshapes Japan’s non-China sourcing strategy

ERG

ERG Mitsubishi gallium supply deal creates a new pathway for Japanese buyers outside China. Eurasian Resource Group signed a long-term supply agreement with Mitsubishi Corporation RtM. ERG Mitsubishi gallium supply deal matters because ERG plans first output in Kazakhstan in Q3 2026. Therefore, the deal strengthens supply chain resilience for gallium-dependent industries.

Kazakhstan gallium production will come from ERG’s Pavlodar Aluminium plant. ERG plans to recover gallium as a by-product of bauxite processing. The project targets up to 15 tonnes per year at full run-rate. However, ERG did not disclose committed tonnage to Mitsubishi.

Kazakhstan gallium production turns alumina refining into a critical minerals lever

Kazakhstan gallium production can scale faster than greenfield mining in many cases. Producers can extract gallium from Bayer process streams with dedicated circuits. This model can improve security for the semiconductor supply chain. As a result, refiners can monetize trace metals while serving strategic demand.

Mitsubishi can use the offtake to support qualification and downstream allocations. Trading houses often bridge producers and end-users during ramp-up. Meanwhile, buyers demand consistent purity, packaging, and delivery performance. Therefore, operational execution will decide how quickly volumes flow into Japan.

European gallium prices show how export controls transmit into markets

European gallium prices have surged as gallium export controls tighten global availability. China still dominates primary production and influences export approvals. China exported 62,615kg in January to November this year. That level rose 13% versus the same period in 2024. However, it fell 30% versus January to November 2022.

European gallium prices recently stood at $1,300–1,450/kg on a cif main airport basis. Prices rose 139% from the start of the year. Prices also jumped 299% from the start of China’s export controls in August 2023. Therefore, even small incremental non-China supply can move sentiment and premiums.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This deal shows how by-product projects can unlock strategic metals quickly. However, qualification risk can slow real deliveries even after first production. The winners will pair new supply with reliable specifications and transparent logistics.

US UAE Gallium Production Partnership Challenges China's Critical Minerals Monopoly

EGA

US UAE gallium production partnership emerged through a strategic alliance between Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Tawazun Council, and RTX Corporation. The US UAE gallium production initiative targets extraction at EGA's Al Taweelah alumina refinery, representing a significant diversification effort away from Chinese-dominated gallium supply chains for critical defense and aerospace applications.

Strategic Partnership Addresses Defense Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

US UAE gallium production collaboration directly responds to China's dual-use export restrictions affecting defense contractors. RTX subsidiary Raytheon faces Chinese export bans, forcing the aerospace giant to secure alternative gallium sources for semiconductor, radio frequency device, and LED manufacturing. The memorandum of understanding establishes an exploratory framework for domestic gallium production capabilities.

Meanwhile, EGA and RTX plan additional agreements to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies for the Al Taweelah facility integration. The partnership leverages EGA's existing alumina refining infrastructure while providing RTX guaranteed access to critical materials. This strategic alignment addresses both companies' objectives of supply chain security and market diversification.

Gallium Applications Drive Defense Industry Demand

However, gallium's strategic importance extends beyond traditional aluminum production into advanced technology applications. The critical mineral serves essential roles in semiconductor manufacturing, radio frequency devices, light emitting diodes, and consumer electronics. Defense and aerospace sectors particularly depend on gallium for advanced radar systems, satellite communications, and electronic warfare capabilities.

Therefore, establishing UAE-based gallium production creates alternative supply sources for Western defense contractors facing Chinese export restrictions. The Al Taweelah location provides geographic diversification while leveraging established Middle Eastern industrial infrastructure. This positioning reduces dependence on single-source suppliers in geopolitically sensitive regions.

Regional Industrial Diversification Strategy

Furthermore, the gallium partnership aligns with broader UAE economic diversification initiatives beyond traditional hydrocarbon sectors. EGA simultaneously announced plans for joint anode manufacturing development with Chinese producer Sunstone, demonstrating comprehensive industrial expansion strategies. These partnerships position Abu Dhabi as a regional critical minerals processing hub.

As a result, the US-UAE collaboration exemplifies how allied nations coordinate critical minerals supply chain resilience against export control weaponization. The partnership model combines American technology expertise with Middle Eastern industrial capacity and geographic positioning. Such arrangements increasingly define international approaches to critical materials security in contested global markets.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The US-UAE gallium production partnership exemplifies strategic alliance formation in response to China's critical minerals export controls, demonstrating how defense contractors and allied governments collaborate to establish alternative supply chains. This initiative represents a broader trend of geographic diversification in critical materials processing, positioning the UAE as a key intermediary in Western supply chain security strategies.

China’s Xihang to build high-purity gallium facility as chip supply chains tighten

gallium

China’s Xihang to build high-purity gallium facility in Shanxi, targeting semiconductor-grade material security. China’s Xihang to build high-purity gallium facility with a 200 t/yr nameplate, signalling another step in China’s upstream-to-wafer integration push. China’s Xihang to build high-purity gallium facility as producers race to lock in critical inputs for compound semiconductors.

Shenzhen Xihang Semiconductor signed an agreement with the Lvliang municipal government to construct a new high-purity gallium and compound materials plant. The project will sit in the Lvliang Economic Development Zone in Shanxi province. Meanwhile, the company committed 244mn yuan of investment for the facility.

A 7N gallium target shifts the focus to quality, not just volume

China’s Xihang to build high-purity gallium facility designed for 99.99999% gallium, a purity level aligned with demanding electronics applications. This 7N target matters because downstream compound materials require tight impurity control. As a result, the project focuses on qualification capability and process stability, not only capacity.

The plant also plans associated downstream compound materials output. That structure can shorten lead times and reduce conversion losses across the chain. Therefore, integrated sites can compete on both yield and reliability when customers tighten specifications.

Vertical integration accelerates as geopolitics reshapes chip inputs

China’s Xihang to build high-purity gallium facility during a period of intensifying technology competition and supply-chain localization. Several Chinese semiconductor producers now aim to control the chain from crude gallium feedstock to compound wafers. Meanwhile, this approach supports faster iteration in R&D for advanced chip technologies.

Xihang, established in 2022, positions itself as a semiconductor and electronic components producer. However, the project’s commissioning timeline remains undisclosed. Therefore, near-term market impact depends on build speed, purification yields, and customer qualification cycles.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Gallium strategy is shifting from “access” to “assurance.” However, 7N output only matters after sustained qualification and stable delivery. The winners will pair upstream purity with downstream wafer partnerships.

Gallium and Scandium Waste Recovery Startup Targets Critical Mineral Bottlenecks

Supra Elemental Recovery

Gallium and scandium waste recovery is gaining a new player in the US critical minerals market. Supra Elemental Recovery launched with $2mn to advance its reusable cartridge technology. The company aims to recover metals from industrial byproducts, mine tailings, and electronic waste. As a result, gallium and scandium waste recovery is moving closer to commercial use.

This matters because gallium and scandium remain strategically sensitive materials. Western supply has tightened after Chinese export controls squeezed access to several critical minerals. That pressure has increased across defense, aerospace, and energy-related supply chains. Therefore, US gallium supply and scandium recycling are becoming more important industrial priorities.

The company’s approach also stands out because it focuses on recovery from waste streams rather than new mining alone. Supra says its system uses a reusable sponge-like cartridge to capture target metals. That model could reduce dependence on conventional upstream supply. Consequently, gallium and scandium waste recovery may become a more practical diversification tool.

Critical Mineral Recovery Technology Moves Toward Pilot Scale

Critical mineral recovery technology is becoming more valuable as concentrated supply chains remain a strategic risk. Supra’s system is designed to recover metals from several overlooked sources, including industrial waste and mine tailings. That gives the company access to materials that already exist inside the industrial system. As a result, the business is aligned with the growing push for circular supply models.

The company is also preparing for a commercial pilot in 2026. The initial funding will support further technology development and pilot readiness. That means the project is still early stage, but it is moving beyond pure research. Therefore, critical mineral recovery technology is starting to enter a more commercial phase.

The scientific foundation adds credibility to the effort. Supra’s technology builds on federally supported research at the University of Texas at Austin. That background suggests the company is building from a stronger technical base than a typical early startup. Meanwhile, it aligns with broader US interest in domestic critical minerals innovation.

US Gallium Supply and Scandium Recycling Could Gain a New Pathway

US gallium supply could benefit if Supra proves it can recover high-purity material at meaningful scale. Gallium remains important for semiconductors, electronics, and advanced industrial uses. Scandium also matters for aerospace and other high-performance applications. Therefore, a domestic recovery pathway for both metals would carry strategic value.

The business may also extend beyond these two materials. Supra is testing recovery of cobalt, lithium, and some rare earths. That suggests the company is building a platform rather than a single-metal solution. Consequently, gallium and scandium waste recovery may be only the first step in a broader critical minerals strategy.

The wider market message is clear. Waste recovery is no longer a secondary topic in strategic materials. It is becoming a serious supply option where mining and refining remain exposed to geopolitical concentration. As a result, smaller technology firms may play a bigger role in future critical mineral resilience than their scale first suggests.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This launch matters because it focuses on one of the most overlooked parts of the critical minerals chain: recoverable waste. Gallium and scandium are small-volume metals, but they create outsized pressure when supply tightens. If Supra can prove its process at pilot scale, waste recovery could become a more credible answer to critical mineral concentration.

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.

Sinomine to Build Copper, Gallium, and Germanium Smelters in Africa: A Strategic Move for Resource Expansion

Sinomine

Chinese diversified mining company Sinomine Resource has announced a bold step in its global resource strategy by unveiling plans to build a copper smelter at its Kitumba mine in Zambia and a germanium/gallium recycling facility at the Tsumeb smelter in Namibia. These investments come as part of Sinomine's ongoing strategy to expand its reach in the mining sector, focusing on copper, germanium, and gallium—key strategic metals for the global market.

Sinomine’s Copper Smelter in Zambia

The first phase of Sinomine’s expansion involves a $562.9 million investment in a new copper smelter at its Kitumba mine in Zambia. The smelter will process 3.5 million tons per year of copper ore, with a production capacity of 60,000 tons per year of copper cathode. The project is set to be completed by late 2026, with a construction period of 1½ years, and will have an expected operating life of 11 years after commissioning. The smelter’s establishment aligns with Sinomine's strategy of expanding its copper resources globally, particularly in Africa, a continent rich in mineral deposits.

Sinomine took control of the Kitumba mine in March and began production in August, marking a significant milestone in its overseas copper operations. The Kitumba project complements Sinomine’s other Zambian ventures, including the commissioning of a second concentrator at the Kasisi copper and gold mine earlier in 2023. This move has significantly increased copper ore processing capacity, further bolstering Sinomine’s growing presence in Zambia.

Expansion in Namibia: Gallium and Germanium Recycling Facility

In addition to copper, Sinomine has also turned its attention to germanium and gallium, two metals that are crucial to industries such as information technology, renewable energy, and aviation. The company is investing $222 million in a multi-metal recycling facility at the Tsumeb smelter in Namibia. The facility will have an annual processing capacity of 200,000 tons and will produce 33 tons per year of zone-melting grade germanium, 11 tons per year of 99.9% industrial-grade gallium, and 10,900 tons per year of zinc. This ambitious project will be built in two phases and is expected to operate for 15 years. However, detailed launch dates are still to be disclosed.

The polymetallic slag at the Tsumeb smelter is estimated to contain substantial quantities of germanium, gallium, and other metals, including zinc and copper, making it an attractive site for advanced metal recycling and extraction. Sinomine’s investment reflects the growing global demand for germanium and gallium, both of which have seen price increases following China’s introduction of export licensing schemes in August 2023. These metals are considered critical for high-tech applications, and their strategic importance has driven companies worldwide to diversify their supply sources.

The Global Significance of Germanium and Gallium

Germanium, used extensively in industries ranging from telecommunications to clean energy, is a strategic resource that is primarily produced in China, which has been reducing its export volume. The global reserves of germanium are estimated at just 8,600 tons, according to the US Geological Survey. Gallium, which is essential for electronics and solar technology, is also in high demand. Sinomine's strategic investments in germanium and gallium facilities will position the company to capitalize on the rising global need for these critical materials, while reducing its reliance on Chinese supply chains.

Conclusion

Sinomine’s investment in copper and multi-metal recycling projects in Zambia and Namibia highlights its forward-thinking approach to securing a diverse range of valuable resources. As global demand for copper, germanium, and gallium grows, Sinomine is positioning itself as a key player in the African mining sector. With an expanding footprint across the continent, the company is set to shape the future of metal production and recycling, supporting industries from renewable energy to electronics.

BRE and Rio Tinto Revise Gallium Mining Deal in Brazil

Rio Tinto Brazil Mining

High-Grade Gallium Discovery Reshapes Amargosa Bauxite Project

Brazilian Rare Earths (BRE) and Rio Tinto have renegotiated their 2023 agreement for the Amargosa bauxite project in Brazil following a major gallium discovery. BRE reported uncovering one of the world’s highest-grade gallium prospects at the site, significantly enhancing the project's strategic value. As a result, the revised deal replaces a $40mn payout with a $1/wet tonne royalty on all future bauxite sales.

The updated terms also remove Rio Tinto’s right of first refusal on bauxite, giving BRE full commercial control over future output. BRE now plans to scale up operations to extract both gallium and bauxite simultaneously, citing urgency due to China’s export restrictions and U.S. tariff policy under Trump.

Gallium Gains Strategic Importance Amid Trade Tensions

Gallium has emerged as a critical mineral for electronics, defense, and green technologies, making the Amargosa site geopolitically significant. Meanwhile, China has tightened its export controls on gallium, while the U.S. continues to impose trade barriers that affect global critical mineral flows. BRE’s entry into the gallium market could diversify supply chains and reduce Western dependence on Chinese sources.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The Amargosa revision shows how geopolitical shifts reshape mineral markets overnight. BRE’s gallium find could fast-track Brazil’s role in critical mineral supply chains.

Rio Tinto Explores Gallium Extraction in Canada Amid Global Supply Shift

Rio Tinto

Global mining giant Rio Tinto is investigating the feasibility of extracting gallium from its operations in Canada, positioning itself to play a critical role in the North American supply chain for this strategically significant metal. The company plans to establish a demonstration plant in Quebec's Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, which could eventually produce up to 40 million tonnes of gallium annually, accounting for 5-10% of global output.

Leveraging Bauxite for Gallium Extraction

The gallium extraction initiative focuses on utilizing the gallium present in the bauxite ore processed at Rio Tinto's alumina refinery in Quebec. This approach highlights the company’s innovation in valorizing existing materials in its production processes.

During the project's initial phase, Rio Tinto will evaluate the technology required to extract gallium. If successful, the company aims to build a demonstration facility capable of producing 3.5 million tonnes annually in its early stages, with plans to expand capacity as demand grows.

Gallium, a critical metal primarily used in the semiconductor and solar panel industries, has seen a surge in strategic importance following China's decision to restrict exports of gallium and other vital minerals to the U.S. As the world's largest gallium producer, China's actions underscore the need for alternative sources, making Rio Tinto's initiative a pivotal development.

Strengthening North American Critical Mineral Supply

Rio Tinto’s project aligns with broader efforts to bolster the North American supply chain for critical and strategic minerals, ensuring a more resilient and independent supply network. Rio Tinto Aluminium’s chief executive, Jerome Pecresse, emphasized the project’s role in addressing geopolitical and supply chain challenges in the global critical metals market.

With the growing reliance on gallium for advanced technologies, including semiconductors and renewable energy solutions, Rio Tinto’s project represents a significant step forward in diversifying the global supply of this vital resource.

Kazakhstan’s ERG to Launch Gallium Production from 2026

ERG

ERG Targets Diversification of Gallium Supply

Kazakhstan’s Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) announced plans to produce gallium starting in 2026. The company will invest $20mn to establish production capacity of up to 15 t/yr, derived as a by-product of bauxite processing. ERG stated that it aims to meet a substantial share of OECD demand for gallium, strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing reliance on China, which currently dominates the market.

Global Gallium Market Dynamics

China remains the largest gallium producer, with an estimated 1,000 t/yr of capacity. However, Beijing’s decision in 2023 to add gallium to its list of export-controlled dual-use items has reshaped the market, limiting international availability and driving up prices. The 2024 export ban to the US further underscored supply chain vulnerabilities, intensifying the search for alternative suppliers. ERG’s entry into gallium production places Kazakhstan alongside other emerging players, including US-based Indium, which recently achieved test volumes in partnership with Rio Tinto, and Greece’s Metlen, planning up to 50 t/yr by 2028.

The Metalnomist Commentary

ERG’s move into gallium reflects mounting global pressure to diversify critical mineral supply chains away from China. While the scale of its planned output remains modest compared to Chinese production, even incremental volumes could prove strategically significant in stabilizing OECD markets. Success will depend on ERG’s ability to secure offtake agreements and integrate into high-tech industries reliant on gallium for semiconductors and optoelectronics.

US gallium production: DOE’s $6mn TRACE-Ga to secure critical supply

Energywerx

US gallium production gets a targeted boost under DOE’s new TRACE-Ga program. The initiative funds pilot plants that deliver 1 t/yr of 99.99% gallium. As a result, US gallium production could finally reduce import risk and price shocks.

What TRACE-Ga funds and requires

The program backs recovery from Bayer liquor and zinc residues at industrial scale. Awardees must pass a 14-day trial and produce 50 kg at 4N purity. Energywerx will manage the process and validate performance data. Meanwhile, submissions close on 20 November, with selections in late 2025. Therefore, early movers can lock in engineering momentum and offtake interest.

Why US gallium production matters now

China controls nearly all primary gallium output and restricted US exports. That constraint exposed defense, power electronics, LED, and solar supply chains. The USGS now tags gallium risk as high on its draft 2025 list. Consequently, US gallium production from residues can harden domestic MRO and chip back-ends. The goal is reliable GaN and GaAs inputs at competitive cost.

Developers should prioritize impurity control, reagent recycling, and modular plant design. In addition, multi-feed flexibility can expand sourcing from alumina and zinc circuits. If pilots scale, capital could flow into bankable commercial units by 2026. That path would anchor US gallium production near downstream device manufacturing.

The Metalnomist Commentary

TRACE-Ga is pragmatic policy aimed at mid-TRL bottlenecks, not labs. Watch purity, operating cost per kilogram, and secured offtake; those metrics will decide who scales.

Victory Metals Produces Gallium at North Stanmore Rare Earth Project

Victory Metals

Australia Sees First Gallium Output from Rare Earth Carbonates

Victory Metals has produced gallium-bearing rare earth carbonates at its North Stanmore project in Western Australia. This marks the first reported gallium production by an Australian rare earth company, based on 57 mineral sample locations. The resulting carbonate samples contain 38 g/t of gallium, offering new potential in the country's critical minerals strategy. Victory’s efforts underscore Australia's growing role in supplying strategic materials for high-tech and green energy sectors.

Project Remains in Scoping Stage with Broader Rare Earth Goals

Despite this milestone, North Stanmore remains in the pre-production phase, according to a scoping study released on March 12. The report outlines plans to produce over 59,000t of rare earth carbonates and more than 3,000t of scandium and hafnium oxides.

Gallium recovery is not yet included in operational scenarios but could be reconsidered in later phases of development. Meanwhile, other Australian firms such as Axel REE are also exploring gallium production, signaling industry-wide momentum.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Victory’s gallium output marks a pivotal development in Australia’s push for critical mineral independence. With global gallium markets dominated by China, even small domestic breakthroughs could have significant geopolitical impact. The North Stanmore project may emerge as a model for diversified rare earth production in the Western Hemisphere.

Metallium gallium recovery wins US DoD backing to scale critical metals

Metallium

Metallium gallium recovery secured initial US Defense Logistics Agency funding, positioning Metallium gallium recovery to commercialize waste-to-metal extraction in Texas and strengthen US critical materials security. The Phase I award of nearly $66,000 arrives within six months, while Phase II could provide up to $1mn and Phase III more than $10mn to launch full commercial operations. Metallium gallium recovery also benefits from a recent $33mn equity raise to accelerate scale-up toward a 2026 start of production.

Funding pathway and commercialization timeline

The staged DoD funding de-risks pilot development and accelerates technology validation for gallium recovery from waste streams at Metallium’s Texas site. Phase I supports early program work and reporting; Phase II would advance pilot-scale operations; Phase III targets commercial deployment exceeding $10mn. The company plans first commercial output in 2026, aligning public funding with private capital to bridge the valley between lab and market.

Technology scope and strategic metals impact

Metallium will apply proprietary flash joule heating to recover gallium and other strategic metals from complex waste feeds. The process targets antimony, indium, and germanium alongside gallium, offering multi-metal revenue and improved circularity. As a result, the Texas hub could diversify US supply chains for semiconductor, defense, and power electronics markets while reducing reliance on imported critical minerals.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Targeted DoD support signals urgency to localize gallium and allied metals amid geopolitical risk. Watch pilot yields, metal purity, and unit costs as key milestones; multi-metal recovery will define bankability and downstream offtake interest.

Blue Moon Apex Mine Deal Targets Germanium and Gallium Supply in Utah

Blue Moon Metals

Blue Moon Apex mine acquisition plans could add a new North American source of germanium, gallium, and copper at a time of rising concern over critical minerals security. Canada-based Blue Moon Metals has agreed to acquire the Apex mine in Utah from Teck’s US subsidiary.

The deal gives Teck a strategic position in Blue Moon through 7mn shares, equal to about 8pc of the company. Teck will also receive zinc concentrate offtake rights from Blue Moon’s California mine, with material expected to be processed at Teck’s Trail Operations in Canada.

The Blue Moon Apex mine package includes 26 patented and nine unpatented mining claims. The mine previously produced copper oxide, germanium, and gallium during the 1980s and 1990s, giving the asset historical relevance in specialty metal supply.

Germanium and Gallium Add Strategic Value to the Mine Portfolio

Germanium and gallium are small-volume but strategically important metals used in advanced technologies. Their applications include semiconductors, infrared optics, fibre optics, solar technologies, LEDs, defence systems, and high-performance electronics.

The Blue Moon Apex mine deal therefore fits into a broader push to secure critical mineral supply outside concentrated processing channels. Reopening the mine would require renewed permitting, technical studies, and additional testing, but the asset gives Blue Moon a clearer path into high-value specialty metals.

The transaction also creates an industrial link between Blue Moon and Teck. Teck’s offtake rights for zinc concentrate from the Blue Moon mine in California could support feedstock flows into Trail Operations, one of North America’s important base and specialty metals processing hubs.

Springer Complex Could Support a Wider Critical Metals Strategy

Blue Moon is also evaluating an additional processing line at its Springer complex in Nevada. The site, acquired in October, historically produced tungsten through its mine and mill operations.

This is important because tungsten, germanium, gallium, copper, and zinc all sit within strategic supply chains linked to defence, electronics, advanced manufacturing, and energy systems. If Blue Moon can connect mine redevelopment with processing optionality, it could build a more diversified critical metals platform.

The Apex transaction is expected to close in March. After that, the key test will be whether Blue Moon can move from asset acquisition to permitting, technical validation, and commercial redevelopment.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Blue Moon’s Apex deal shows how dormant mines are becoming strategic assets again as critical minerals policy reshapes project economics. The opportunity is clear, but value will depend on permitting speed, processing capability, and whether historical germanium and gallium production can translate into modern supply.

Australia's MTM Plans US Gallium Recycling Plant

Australian mining firm MTM Critical Metals is set to establish a new gallium recycling plant in the United States, with operations slated to begin next year. The plant will process 1 ton per day of gallium, extracted from electronic waste such as semiconductors and LEDs, using their proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology.

Innovative Process and Market Impact

The FJH technology, tested at Rice University in Texas, has proven effective in recovering gallium from LED manufacturing waste. This process involves rapidly heating the waste in a controlled chlorine atmosphere, which enables the extraction of gallium in high purity by converting gallium nitride (GaN) into a more volatile form.

The global gallium market faces supply challenges due to China's export restrictions, which affect over 95% of global production and have led to rising prices. Gallium is increasingly in demand for applications including semiconductors, LEDs, solar panels, and advanced defense systems.

MTM is advancing prototype testing in Houston and is exploring partnerships for financing and offtake agreements. The technology could also be used to recover germanium, another metal with restricted exports from China. MTM's broader research includes testing on various metals and rare earth elements.