Corrected: Alcoa greenlights Australia gallium plant with US, Japan and domestic backing (July 14)

Sojitz

14/07/2026 23:08

Corrects bullet four in July 14 story to say gallium is a byproduct of alumina refining process, not a raw material used to produce alumina

    July 14 (Reuters) - Alcoa Corp AA.N 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 backing from the Australian, Japanese and U.S. governments and industry partners. 
The U.S. and Australian governments had said in October they would support Alcoa's expansion plans in the region, a few months after the company signed a joint development agreement with a venture between the Japanese government and Sojitz Corp 2768.T.
The U.S.-based aluminium producer plans to construct and operate the plant, which could provide up to 10% of the global gallium supply. 
"This final investment decision reflects a shared commitment by governments and industry to strengthen critical mineral supply chains among the partners,” said Alcoa President and CEO William F. Oplinger.
Construction activities are expected to begin after final site preparations, the company added.
Gallium, recovered as a byproduct during the alumina refining process, is a critical mineral for the technology sector, especially the semiconductor and defense industries.
Earlier this month, Alcoa agreed to buy the bulk of South32's S32.AX aluminium portfolio for an implied enterprise value of up to $5.6 billion to expand its access to upstream assets, including bauxite, alumina and aluminium assets across Brazil, South Africa and Western Australia.

 (Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)
 ((Keshav.singhchundawat@thomsonreuters.com))