Victory Metals (ASX:VTM) is advancing discussions with prospective downstream partners across technology, defence, and energy sectors that recognise the importance of diversified supply.
The company has now produced gallium (Ga) in its final mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product from its North Stanmore clay-hosted heavy rare earth and critical mineral project in Western Australia.
The initial MREC production undertaken by Core (Brisbane) was an ongoing program to determine the highest recoveries of heavy rare earths especially dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) and was not designed to recover gallium.
However, CEO Brendan Clark says the preliminary results are extremely encouraging and position Victory with the opportunity to become one of the first mining companies to produce a MREC containing gallium as a high-value by-product, with significant opportunity to further enhance its recovery within the MREC.
To advance this potential, Victory has appointed ALS Metallurgy in Perth to undertake bulk MREC test work. This next phase will focus on optimising the recovery conditions for gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) while maintaining the high heavy rare earth element (HREE) distribution in the final MREC product.
“This is a landmark milestone, not just for Victory but for Australia’s position in the global critical minerals landscape. To our knowledge, we are the first Australian company to confirm the successful recovery of gallium in a final mixed rare earth carbonate product — and that puts us in a league of our own,” Clark says.
“Gallium is one of the most strategically important elements of the 21st century. It’s critical to semiconductors, AI chips, defense systems, and next-gen communications. With China’s recent export bans, the world is urgently searching for secure, Western-aligned gallium supply and Victory is a potential solution.
“The successful recovery of gallium in our MREC further strengthens the commercial appeal of the MREC and sets Victory apart globally. We’re advancing discussions with downstream partners across technology, defence, and energy sectors who recognise the importance of diversified supply.”
Rare earth elements were extracted from material taken from samples collected from 13 aircore drillholes from North Stanmore, leaching at low temperature and pressure, and with a 4-hour residence time.
Impurities, including aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe), were first removed from the leach liquor by neutralising with commercial grade sodium carbonate (soda ash) at ambient temperature. Rare earth elements and gallium were precipitated from the impurity removal liquor using commercial grade soda ash at ambient temperature, to produce a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) test product.
MEC Mining, a global mining resource firm based in Western Australia, were responsible for delivering Victory’s January 2025 MRE and have been commissioned to include Ga₂O₃ in an updated resource.
Victory believes this upgrade to the MRE to incorporate gallium could demonstrate to the market the scale of gallium through the North Stanmore system. It is proposed the update to the MRE will take up to four weeks.
After the release of the updated MRE, it is anticipated that Victory will update the recently announced Scoping Study to incorporate Ga₂O₃ and any other exploration results from the drilling program which is currently underway.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Victory Metals & Stock
