Alcoa (ASX:AAI) has kicked off construction of its new gallium production plant at its Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia. The company marked the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony alongside government and industry partners from Australia, Japan, and the US.
Alcoa Australia President Elsabe Muller says the company welcomes the collaboration between government and industry partners to support work on the plant, which will help to diversify the global gallium market.
The plant is expected to create up to 200 local construction jobs during its initial phase, followed by 20 permanent positions once operational.
In July 2026, the governments, industry partners, and Alcoa announced a final investment decision on the plant. The project is part of a joint development agreement with Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA), a joint venture between Sojitz (TYO:2768) and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).
Alcoa is a global leader in alumina and aluminium products, with its Western Australian refineries supplying 8% of the world’s alumina.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Alcoa
