Rio Tinto extracts first primary gallium at Quebec alumina refinery, a strategic development amid China’s critical minerals export ban to the US

Rio Tinto, in collaboration with Indium Corporation, has reportedly extracted the first batch of primary gallium in its Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Quebec, the only refinery in Canada, as part of the move to produce commercial quantities of critical and strategic minerals present in the bauxite.

Gallium is a key input in semiconductors and high-performance electronics used in radar systems, smartphones, electric vehicles, and computing devices. With global production limited to approximately 600 metric tonnes annually, all sourced outside of North America, this project represents a strategic leap forward in reducing supply chain vulnerabilities for critical technologies.

Also, this initiative comes at a pivotal moment, following China’s export ban on three critical minerals – gallium, germanium, and antimony since December 2024 in response to Washington’s restrictions targeting China’s semiconductor sector. The project also enhances the United States’ access to critical minerals, complementing its recent strategic agreement with Ukraine.

The preliminary extraction was conducted in Indium’s research and development facility in Rome, New York. Building on the recent progress, Rio Tinto and Indium will jointly evaluate the extraction techniques and scale up production at pilot-scale. Contingent on successful pilot outcomes, Rio Tinto plans to construct a demonstration plant in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, with an annual capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, with the support of the government.

The following step would be developing a full-scale commercial plant with an annual production capacity of 40 tonnes, which is between 5 and 10 per cent of the world’s current gallium production.

Rio Tinto’s North American facilities already produce a wide range of critical minerals in addition to aluminium, copper, iron ore and titanium dioxide.

Jérôme Pécresse, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Aluminium, said: ‘‘We are very proud to announce this significant milestone in our important research and development project to extract gallium from our aluminium operations in Quebec. Together, through this innovative partnership, Rio Tinto and Indium Corporation strive to strengthen the North American supply chain for gallium, a critical and strategic mineral.’’

Ross Berntson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Indium Corporation, added: “This achievement is a major milestone, reflecting our dedication to global industrial needs by ensuring a sustainable supply of gallium. Our joint efforts are positioning North America as a leader in critical material production.”

Source: https://www.alcircle.com/news/rio-tinto-extracts-first-primary-gallium-at-quebec-alumina-refinery-a-strategic-development-amid-chinas-critical-minerals-export-ban-to-the-us-114026