[SMM Aluminum Flash News] US Gallium Strategy Remains Heavily Dependent on Jamaican Bauxite

Published: May 22, 2026 09:41

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The US is advancing a $450M gallium supply chain project centered on the Gramercy alumina refinery in Louisiana, which is expected to host the country’s first large-scale gallium production circuit. The project involves Atlantic Alumina and includes about $150M in Pentagon funding. As the US currently has no domestic gallium production, the Gramercy refinery has become a critical asset, though its alumina operations rely entirely on imported Jamaican bauxite. China currently controls around 98% to 99% of global low-purity gallium supply, and following export restrictions, the US is accelerating efforts to build domestic critical mineral supply chains. However, the current US gallium and rare earth supply chain remains highly dependent on a single refinery and Jamaican bauxite supply.

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