Final Investment Decision Made to Advance Gallium Production Project in Australia

Sojitz Corporation (hereinafter "Sojitz") has made a final investment decision regarding the gallium production project (hereinafter "the project") at Alcoa of Australia Limited's (hereinafter "Alcoa") alumina refineries in Western Australia, following joint feasibility studies conducted through Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd, a joint venture established with the independent administrative corporation Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). The project will be advanced as a collaborative initiative among Japan, Australia, and the United States, with Sojitz responsible for marketing the produced gallium to Japan and other key demand centers.

Gallium is widely used in LEDs and compound semiconductors, and global demand is expected to continue rising due to increasing semiconductor demand. It is designated as a critical mineral in Japan, Australia, the United States, Europe, and other regions. Recently, the Japanese and Australian governments issued the "Japan-Australia Joint Statement on Enhancing Critical Minerals Cooperation," under which this project has been designated as one of the priority-supported initiatives.

The project aims to develop facilities to extract gallium as a byproduct at Alcoa's operating alumina refineries in Western Australia. It is led by JOGMEC, which seeks to secure stable sources of critical minerals, and Sojitz, which has been involved in alumina refining since 1980, through their joint venture in collaboration with Alcoa. After conducting project validation and feasibility studies starting in August 2025, the parties have decided to proceed with additional investment and formal project commercialization. Construction of the production facilities is expected to commence upon final site preparation and regulatory approvals.

Sojitz has long been committed to diversifying supply sources for critical minerals essential to industrial sustainability and development, anticipating future societal needs. Through this project, Sojitz, together with JOGMEC and Alcoa, will build a new gallium supply chain, contribute to stable supply, and fulfill the trading company's mission of delivering the right products and services to where they are needed.

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[Overview of Alcoa]

Company Name

Alcoa of Australia Limited

Established

June 1961

Headquarters

Level 2, 235 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

Representative

Elsabe Muller

Main Business Activities

Bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production

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August 4, 2025: Joint investigation launched toward gallium production in Australia