Rio Tinto has begun exploring the possibility of extracting gallium from bauxite at its Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean alumina refinery in Quebec, Canada.
The potential gallium extraction process could have a significant impact on the world’s supply of this critical mineral. Gallium is used in integrated circuits for high-performance radars, smartphones, electric vehicles, and laptops.
If successful, Rio Tinto plans to build a plant capable of producing up to 3.5 tonnes of gallium per year. The Quebec government is committed to providing $4.8 million for this purpose.
As François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada, said, “When it comes to critical minerals, Canada has all it takes to be the global supplier of choice and that is why the government is proud to work with key industry actors like Rio Tinto.”
The industrial-scale plant will eventually be able to produce 40 tonnes of gallium per year, which would be 5% - 10% of current global production.
According to Rio Tinto Aluminum CEO Jérôme Pécresse, “This new research and development project is destined to help strengthen the North American supply chain for critical and strategic minerals.”
“As many important steps are yet to be achieved, Rio Tinto is strongly involved in this important journey and thanks the government of Quebec for its important contribution,” he added.
Rio Tinto, which specializes in aluminum, copper, iron ore and titanium dioxide production, also mines such critical minerals as scandium, tellurium and molybdenum at its North American operations.
Hélène Tarin, Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
