Alcoa Corporation, in partnership with the governments of Australia, Japan, and the United States, has announced a final investment decision and broken ground on a new gallium production plant. This facility will be co-located at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia. The project aims to establish a reliable source of gallium, a critical mineral essential for advanced technologies like semiconductors and defense applications, whose global supply is currently highly concentrated.
The project represents a collaborative effort to strengthen critical mineral supply chains, particularly in light of China's dominance in gallium production and recent export controls. By leveraging Alcoa's existing alumina refining expertise, the plant will extract gallium from the alumina refining process, avoiding the need for a new standalone mine. This approach offers a significant structural advantage by integrating into established infrastructure.
Alcoa will construct and operate the plant. While the company stated that its role as construction and operating manager is not expected to materially impact its financial position or results, the project is strategically important for gaining exposure to a critical metal. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on August 24, 2026, involved representatives from the partner governments and industry, including Australian Ministers Madeleine King and Tim Ayres, Western Australian Minister David Michael, and U.S. Consul General in Perth, Colleen Altstock, alongside Alcoa and Sojitz Corporation officials.
The new facility is expected to create up to 200 local construction jobs and approximately 20 permanent roles once operational. Although specific details regarding planned production capacity, capital expenditure, and government financial contributions have not been publicly disclosed, the initiative underscores a broader effort by Western nations to enhance supply chain resilience and secure critical materials outside of China's influence.
