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Gallium’s star is rising and it’s shining on Western Australia

• Gallium named in Australia’s $1.2bn critical minerals reserve alongside rare earths and antimony
• Alcoa secured US$200m to develop 100t per year gallium plant at Wagerup refinery in WA
• Mount Ridley holds 838.7Mt resource grading 29.3ppm gallium in shallow regolith deposits

Gallium’s star is on the rise, given that It has been named as one of the three minerals that will be the initial focus of Australia’s $1.2bn critical minerals strategic reserve.

The critical mineral is a key ingredient for advanced semiconductors used in computer chips, defence applications, internet infrastructure and other advanced technology components.

As with many other critical minerals, gallium supply is dominated by China, a point that has caused no small number of sleepless nights for defence agencies in the West.

This fear is well placed, given that China had placed direct export bans on gallium in December 2024 that had a massive impact on supply price.

While this ban was suspended at the end of 2025, general export controls remain in place and military end-use prohibitions still remain.

Speaking to Stockhead, Mount Ridley Mines (ASX:MRD) chief executive officer Allister Caird expressed his belief that concerns about gallium supply were why the G7 group of nations was prioritising the stockpiling of the critical mineral.

This would ensure their defence agencies would continue to have access to the resource by creating some supply security away from China.

“Obviously, Australia has been identified as one of the G7 nations with the capacity to supply gallium for stockpiling along with rare earths and antimony,” Caird said.

“In terms of what it means for the Australian economy and companies like Mount Ridley mines, I think it will help focus funding and research for future gallium supply within Australia and within those stockpiling nations.”

Western Australia gaining prominence

As with almost everything in the resources sector, Western Australia could take a leading position in Australia’s push to gain traction in the gallium space.

In October 2025 Alumina giant Alcoa Corporation (ASX:AAI) secured US$200m in financial support from the US and Australian governments to advance development of a gallium plant that will be co-located at its Wagerup alumina refinery in WA.

Funds will be used primarily for the preparation of final feasibility studies, and the development and construction of the project, which is expected to produce 100t of gallium annually during the process of refining alumina from bauxite – a natural source of the critical mineral.

The parties are targeting 2026 for a final investment decision and production with the US and Australian governments expected to receive gallium offtake in proportion to their interests.

Alcoa’s plans are not the only reason why WA might be Australia’s gallium leader.

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Source: Stockhead