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Gallium

Gallium is a soft, silvery metal classified as a critical mineral owing to its strategic importance in advanced technologies and limited global supply concentration. It is primarily produced as a by-product of aluminium and zinc refining, with bauxite processing yielding the majority of commercial gallium through the extraction of trace amounts from alumina. The metal has a low melting point of about 30 °C, allowing it to liquefy near room temperature, and exhibits unique properties that make it indispensable in semiconductor manufacturing and optoelectronics. Gallium arsenide and gallium nitride compounds are essential materials for high-frequency integrated circuits, light-emitting diodes, solar cells and power electronics used in telecommunications, defence systems and renewable energy infrastructure. Global production is heavily concentrated in China, which refines an estimated 80% to 90% of the world's gallium supply, raising concerns about supply chain security for technology-dependent economies. Demand has grown steadily as the transition to electric vehicles, 5G networks and energy-efficient lighting accelerates, while substitutes remain limited for most applications. Major aluminium-producing countries, including Guinea and Brazil, hold significant potential for gallium recovery from their bauxite resources, though commercial extraction outside China remains underdeveloped. The metal is not mined directly but recovered during the Bayer process, in which bauxite is refined into alumina, making gallium production closely tied to the aluminium industry. Strategic initiatives to diversify supply chains have prompted investment in gallium recovery projects in Australia, Europe and the Americas. Gallium's role in next-generation technologies ensures its continued classification as a critical material for industrial and national security planning.

Gallium News


Rare earths
Victory Metals secures traditional owner consent on land use for rare earths mine in WA
3rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed heavy rare earths explorer Victory Metals has signed an agreement with the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation that helps facilitate the granting of a mining licence for the North... 


Alumina 'red mud' tailings site in Louisiana
Colorado School of Mines, ElementUSA awarded US gov funding to recover rare earths from alumina tailings
3rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Research university Colorado School of Mines and mid-stream minerals processing company ElementUSA have been awarded $67-million in funding from the US Department of Energy (DoE) to build a plant... 


Yangshan deepwater port in Shanghai
China cuts Japan off from some materials amid diplomatic spat
22nd May 2026 By: Reuters

China has cut Japan off from several heavy rare earths and other materials for at least four months, coinciding with a dispute between the two countries over Taiwan, suggesting Beijing is using its... 


Drill core from Sarfartoq
Greenland Mines fast-tracks updated study on newly acquired Sarfartoq rare earths project
22nd May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Greenland Mines has signed a definitive agreement with TSX-listed Neo Performance Materials to acquire full ownership of the Sarfartoq rare earths project in south-west Greenland for... 


Rare earth ore
Europe must break China's grip on rare earths pricing to spur investment, sector body says
22nd May 2026 By: Reuters

Europe must build its own pricing system for specialty metals and rare earths to reduce reliance on China and unlock investment in mining and processing, Bernd Schaefer, CEO and managing director... 


Gallium
Gallium metal research and development project, Canada
22nd May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Rio Tinto is advancing a research and development project to extract primary gallium from its alumina refining process. 


Tungsten in containers
EU shortlists tungsten, rare earths for first stockpile to curb China reliance
20th May 2026 By: Reuters

The European Union has shortlisted tungsten, rare earths and gallium for its first joint stockpile of critical minerals aimed at reducing its reliance on China, three sources familiar with the... 


Bauxite ore in hand
Brazilian Rare Earths announces newco spinout to manage bauxite project
19th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Brazilian Rare Earths (BRE) has announced plans to demerge its 100%-owned Amargosa bauxite/gallium project in Brazil, into a newly formed ASX-listed company called Alurion Resources.... 


Drilling gets under way at Kabwe mine orebody
14th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Aim- and AltX-listed Shuka Minerals has started the Phase 1 drilling programme at the No.2 orebody at its Kabwe zinc mine, in Zambia. The No.2 orebody is open at depth and the initial diamond drill... 


Ore recovered from the Sheep Creek project
USCM, Bayan to undertake metallurgical test programme at Montana rare earths mine
14th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

US exploration and technology company US Critical Material Corp (USCM) has entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ASX-listed Bayan Mining and Minerals to jointly evaluate... 


The Trojarova mine
Race for critical minerals leaves EU struggling to keep up
11th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

For the EU, the fate of a Cold War-era mine near Bratislava is becoming a litmus test for its ambition to break free from China’s chokehold over critical minerals. Sitting in a wooded range of... 


Piles of critical minerals
Need for hedging could spur new derivatives for niche critical minerals, Traxys CEO says
23rd April 2026 By: Reuters

Derivative contracts for niche critical minerals including rhenium could emerge over time as supply concerns and price volatility push industrial users to seek better hedging tools, said Mark... 


Drill riga at the Monte Muambe project
Monte Muambe rare earths and gallium project, Mozambique – update
17th April 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Altona Rare Earths has identified heavy rare earth element enrichment in the Monte Muambe fluorspar and gallium ore, which could provide an additional value driver for the multicommodity project. 


An image of Monte Muambe
Altona identifies heavy rare earth enrichment at Mozambique fluorspar project
14th April 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

London-listed Altona Rare Earths has identified heavy rare earths element enrichment in the Monte Muambe fluorspar and gallium ore, a possible additional value driver for this multicommodity... 


Pioneer partners with Mineral Technologies on US tungsten project
7th April 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

ASX-listed Pioneer Minerals has entered into a strategic collaboration with Mineral Technologies USA to advance development of its Springfield critical minerals project in Idaho. The companies... 


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pqt: 0.114s - ct: 1.192s - 235pq - 2rq
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