Alcoa’s Wagerup Gallium Refinery Marked as a Milestone for Critical Minerals in Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described Alcoa’s planned gallium refinery at Wagerup as a major step for Australia’s critical minerals sector. The project is one of the first significant developments supported by the Australia–US critical minerals agreement.
Prime Minister Highlights Importance of the JAGA Project
During a visit to the Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, the Prime Minister confirmed that the Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA) project will begin operations next year. He emphasised the scale and importance of the refinery.
“This isn’t something that is obscure or something that’s in the future. It is happening right here, right now,” Albanese said. “This gallium project here at Alcoa is one of the first projects, and it will produce ten per cent of the world’s gallium.”
The project showcases Australia’s ability to add value domestically and strengthen global supply chains for critical minerals.
Alcoa to Extract Gallium as a New Value-Add Stream
Alcoa will extract gallium on-site as an additional value stream linked to its existing alumina and aluminium operations. The company will use gallium naturally occurring within local bauxite deposits, enhancing its integrated processing capabilities.
Vice president of operations – Australia and president Alcoa Australia Elsabe Muller says the project reflects a long-term commitment to Australian operations.
“This opportunity will see us as Alcoa to further value add from the bauxite that Alcoa already mine, to further use alumina here,” Muller said. “Also into aluminum, by then further extracting the gallium that actually is naturally found in the bauxite deposits. This project represents our shared commitment to continue to add value in Australia.”
Global Partners Support Australia’s Critical Minerals Expansion
Resources Minister Madeleine King says the gallium refinery is a partnership between several global and domestic stakeholders. Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, the Australian Critical Minerals Facility and the US Export-Import Bank have all contributed finance and support.
The refinery has secured $US200 million in concessional equity funding and is one of the earliest projects delivered under the $13 billion Australia–US critical minerals framework signed by the Prime Minister and US President Donald Trump last month.
“This is a game-changing project for Australia and for the United States. Australia is rich in critical minerals, and we’re going to reap the benefits for all Australians,” the PM said at the time.
Gallium Refinery Moves Ahead as Environmental Reforms Progress
The announcement coincides with the Federal Government’s push to advance reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Minister King confirmed that the new gallium project will not be affected by the upcoming changes.
The Wagerup gallium refinery positions Australia as a strategic supplier in global critical mineral markets. It also strengthens domestic value-add capabilities across the resources industry.