https://newsletter.en.creamermedia.com

Rio Tinto to build pilot gallium plant in Quebec

5th March 2026

By: Mariaan Webb

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

Mining major Rio Tinto is advancing a research and development project to extract gallium from its alumina refining process in Quebec, supported by funding from the Canadian government.

The company will construct a pilot plant at its Complexe Jonquière facility in Saguenay following the successful extraction of its first gallium in partnership with Indium Corporation in May 2025. The pilot facility is expected to begin operating in 2027.

The project has received conditional approval for a non-repayable contribution of up to C$18.95-million from Natural Resources Canada under the Global Partnerships Initiative, in addition to C$7-million committed by the government of Quebec in 2024.

Plans are also under way for a demonstration plant at the same site capable of producing up to 4 t/y of gallium. If the technology is scaled commercially, Rio Tinto estimates production could reach about 40 t/y, representing roughly 5% of global supply.

Gallium is produced in limited quantities globally, with current output of more than 700 t/y, all from outside North America. The metal is used in technologies such as high-performance radar systems, smartphones, electric vehicles and computers.

Rio Tinto Aluminium and Lithium CEO Jérôme Pécresse said extracting gallium from the company’s existing alumina refining process would create additional value while strengthening the North American supply chain for the critical mineral.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Latest News

Showroom

Egoli Gas (Pty) Ltd
Egoli Gas (Pty) Ltd

As a reticulator, Egoli Gas provides natural gas to homes and businesses via underground pipes.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Rentech
Rentech

Rentech provides renewable energy products and services to the local and selected African markets. Supplying inverters, lithium and lead-acid...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine round up | 27 February 2026
Magazine round up | 27 February 2026
27th February 2026

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.033 0.134s - 128pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now