Rio Tinto explores the extraction of gallium

Rio Tinto has announced that as part of its innovative R&D initiative, it is exploring the extraction of gallium, a critical mineral essential for technologies like integrated circuits, high-performance radar, smartphones, and electric vehicles.

A demonstration plant is planned for Saguenay, capable of producing 3.5 tonnes of gallium annually, with potential scaling to 40 tonnes per year, representing up to 10% of global production. The Government of Quebec f has pledged up to C$7 million for the project’s demonstration phase. This project strengthens the North American supply chain for critical minerals while aligning with a greener, circular economy vision.

Jérôme Pécresse has stated: “This project supports a stronger North American supply chain for critical minerals. We thank the Government of Quebec for their support as we advance this important journey.”

This initiative is crucial due to the fact that gallium plays a pivotal role in the tech-driven economy. This initiative not only boosts Quebec’s leadership in critical minerals but also demonstrates Canada’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.

Alongside this, Rio Tinto continues to innovate with critical minerals such as scandium, tellurium, and molybdenum, emphasizing a future-focused approach to materials science.