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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


METLEN plant in Greece
Greece's METLEN agrees to supply US company with gallium
29th July 2026 By: Reuters

Greek aluminum producer METLEN Energy & Metals said on Wednesday that it signed a long-term agreement to supply a US technology company with the critical mineral gallium. METLEN did not disclose... 


Bauxite in hand
Brazilian Rare Earths spinoff Alurion gets maximum A$50m subscription in IPO
22nd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Brazilian Rare Earths' spinoff company Alurion Resources has successfully raised A$50-million with its initial public offering (IPO) on the ASX. Demand for the IPO exceeded expectations,... 


Silicon Ridge PEA estimates $12.1-billion after-tax NPV
Silicon Ridge PEA estimates $12.1-billion after-tax NPV
16th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

US-based, vertically integrated producer of advanced materials and critical mineral solutions Ionic Mineral Technologies (Ionic MT) has announced the results of an independent preliminary economic... 


Gallium
Alcoa greenlights Australia gallium plant with US, Japan and domestic backing
15th July 2026 By: Reuters

Bauxite and aluminium producer Alcoa Corporation said on Tuesday it has reached a final investment decision to set up a gallium plant at its Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, with... 


Critical mineral symbols
Australia's export finance agency boosts jobs by 21% amid critical minerals push
15th July 2026 By: Reuters

Export Finance Australia (EFA) added 40 staff in the financial year to June, as the government-backed agency builds up critical minerals expertise to deliver an A$1.2-billion ($840-million)... 


Drill core from the Monet Muambe project
Monte Muambe rare earths, fluorspar and gallium project, Mozambique – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

NeoTerra has reported metallurgical breakthroughs, which have significantly derisked the development of the project’s multicommodity flowsheet. 


Teck Resources' Trail Operations in British Columbia
Teck to receive up to $400m Canadian investment for germanium, gallium, antimony scale-up
8th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and NYSE-listed Teck Resources, Natural Resources Canada and Canada Growth Fund (CGF) have signed a strategic investment agreement to support expanding production capacity for germanium,... 


An image of Monte Muambe
NeoTerra highlights metallurgical gains at Mozambique project
7th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

London-listed NeoTerra says metallurgical breakthroughs at its Monte Muambe project, in Mozambique, have significantly de-risked development of the project’s multi-commodity flowsheet, confirming a... 


Gallium
MRG Metals confirms high levels of gallium in South Africa for byproduct production
2nd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed MRG Metals has confirmed significant levels of gallium returned from analytical results as the company works to define its Garies project resource, in South Africa's Northern Cape... 


Gold pour at Red Lake in Canada
Canada, Japan consider critical minerals joint stockpiling in hunt for China alternatives
26th June 2026 By: Reuters

Canada and Japan are working on a range of mining projects, including potential joint stockpiling, Canada's Trade Minister told Reuters, as Japan moves to diversify supplies of critical minerals... 


Cuttings from the Monte Muambe project
Monte Muambe rare earths, fluorspar and gallium project, Mozambique – update
26th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

NeoTerra, formerly Altona Rare Earths, reported on June 4, 2026, that rare earths assays from its 2025 drilling campaign had confirmed heavy rare-earth element enrichment associated with fluorspar... 


An image of Monte Muambe
Altona changes name to reflect broader goals
22nd June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

London-listed Altona Rare Earths has changed its name to NeoTerra Group, effective June 22, to reflect its evolution from a rare earth-focused exploration company into a broader critical minerals... 


Drill rig at the Monte Muambe project
Monte Muambe rare earths, fluorspar and gallium project, Mozambqiue
12th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Rare earths assays from Altona Rare Earths' 2025 drilling campaign have confirmed heavy rare-earth element enrichment associated with fluorspar at Monte Muambe. 


Gallium
Gallium developer Nimy partners with Curtin University to champion local production
11th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Nimy Resources and Western Australia's largest university, Curtin University, have announced a partnership to undertake a pioneering research programme into processing highly-in-demand... 


An image of drilling at Altona Rare Earths Monte Muambe projects
Junior prioritises fluorspar mine development
5th June 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

While junior explorer Altona Rare Earths is undertaking metallurgy work at its Monte Muambe rare earths and Monte Muambe fluorspar and gallium projects, in Mozambique, it is prioritising the... 


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... 


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