News: Suppliers
1 September 2026
US Department of War investing $174m in Alcoa’s alumina refinery in Western Australia
The US Department of War (DOW) has announced an estimated $174m equity financing investment to construct a new gallium production facility at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia. Executed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP)) via the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, the initiative is a multi-national partnership with Export Finance Australia (EFA), the Government of Japan, and Sojitz Corp. Alcoa of Australia will operate the facility, which is projected to produce 100 metric tons of gallium metal annually.
“This landmark agreement with our key allies, Australia and Japan, will secure a vital supply of gallium for our defense industrial base, strengthening our collective security and economic resilience for years to come,” says the Honorable Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy.
Gallium is essential to high-performance semiconductors underpinning critical defense capabilities including advanced radars for aerial and maritime platforms, ground-based missile defense systems, secure satellite and tactical communications, and precision electro-optical/infrared sensors for missile guidance and thermal imaging. Gallium is also critical for solar cells powering military and civilian satellites. Securing a reliable supply of gallium is essential for the DOW, and the project aims to build long-term resilience in the existing global supply chain.
Ground broken on Alcoa-Sojitz Gallium Recovery Project in Western Australia
Australia, Japan, the USA and Alcoa investing in gallium project in Western Australia
