Rio Tinto, in partnership with Indium Corporation, has successfully extracted its first primary gallium as part of a research and development initiative aimed at producing commercial quantities of the critical mineral. This milestone was achieved using bauxite processed at Rio Tinto’s Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Quebec, the only facility of its kind in Canada. The initial extraction took place at Indium Corporation’s research facility in Rome, New York.

The project’s next phase will evaluate methods to scale up extraction to pilot-level production. If the pilot phase proves successful, Rio Tinto plans to construct a demonstration plant in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, supported by the Quebec government. The proposed facility would be capable of producing up to 3.5 metric tons of gallium annually. Ultimately, commercial-scale operations could yield up to 40 metric tons per year, which would represent approximately 5% to 10% of current global gallium production.

“This is a significant milestone in our effort to extract gallium from our aluminum operations in Quebec,” said Jérôme Pécresse, chief executive of Rio Tinto Aluminium. “Through this innovative partnership, Rio Tinto and Indium Corporation aim to bolster the North American supply chain for this vital and strategic mineral.”

Ross Berntson, president and CEO of Indium Corporation, echoed the sentiment. “This achievement marks a major step forward in our commitment to global industry needs,” he said. “Together, we are establishing North America as a key player in critical material production.”

Gallium plays an essential role in advanced technologies, including integrated circuits used in high-performance radar systems, smartphones, laptops and electric vehicles. Currently, global gallium production is estimated at only 600 metric tons per year, with none sourced from North America.

Rio Tinto's effort to produce gallium aligns with its broader strategy to strengthen the critical minerals supply chain in North America. The company already produces a range of these materials at its regional facilities, including scandium for aluminum alloys, tellurium for solar panels, lithium for electric vehicle batteries and molybdenum for steel alloys. Additional research is underway to explore the recovery of other strategic minerals from existing operations.

This development signals a growing commitment to supporting clean technologies and securing local sources of vital materials needed for the energy transition and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Rio Tinto is a British-Australian multinational corporation and the world’s second-largest mining and metals company. Established in 1873 to mine copper in Huelva, Spain, the company has since evolved into a global leader in the production and processing of key materials. Today, its operations span a wide range of essential minerals, including iron ore, copper, aluminum, and other critical resources vital to modern industry.