HOUSTON, July 14 (Argus) - Alcoa said it expects to proceed with plans to build a gallium plant adjacent to its Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia after the company and several government and industry partners reached a final investment decision on the facility.
Alcoa anticipates that construction at the site will commence after the final site preparations are completed, but it has not given an estimated start date.
The company said in October last year that it expected to receive funds from the US and Australian governments to build a 100-ton-per-year gallium plant. Previously, as part of a joint venture with the Japanese state-owned energy agency Jogmec and trading company Dai Nippon, Alcoa had conducted feasibility studies on gallium production at the Wagerup alumina refinery. At that time, Alcoa expected that the funds would be used for the feasibility study, development and construction of the project. Alcoa previously stated that the US and Australian governments would provide capital and obtain the purchase right for gallium "in proportion to their equity".
The initial announcement of the gallium plant was part of a mineral agreement between the US and Australia, which was signed at the White House last October and aims to expand the domestic supply chains of the two countries.
According to data from the US Geological Survey, China produced approximately 99% of the world's primary gallium in 2025, with a production of about 900 tons.
Gallium is typically used in electronic products, solar cells and light-emitting diodes. Gallium arsenide and gallium nitride-based semiconductors are also used in military radar arrays and precision-guided weapons.
