Alcoa Gallium Production Plant Breaks Ground in Western Australia

On August 24, U.S.-based Alcoa Corporation, alongside the governments of Australia, Japan, and the United States, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Alcoa gallium production plant at the company’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia. The ceremony marks the beginning of construction for a new facility intended to establish a reliable domestic source of gallium while supporting broader efforts to strengthen critical mineral supply chains across the three participating countries.

Alcoa will construct and operate the gallium production facility, bringing government and industry stakeholders together in a coordinated effort to improve the resilience of critical mineral supply. The groundbreaking represents a significant milestone as the project moves into its construction phase and advances toward commercial operations. Once completed, the facility is expected to support up to 200 local construction jobs during development and create 20 permanent positions after operations begin, providing both industrial and regional employment benefits in Western Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Alcoa gallium production plant expected to achieve?
The facility is intended to create a new and reliable source of gallium in Western Australia while supporting stronger critical mineral supply chains. Alcoa will construct and operate the plant at its Wagerup alumina refinery, with Australia, Japan, and the United States participating in the broader project effort. Construction is expected to create up to 200 local jobs, while the completed operation is projected to provide 20 permanent positions. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the formal start of construction and represents an important step toward establishing additional gallium production capacity.