Final Investment Decision Reached for Gallium Production in Australia - Building a New Critical Minerals Supply Chain and Ensuring Stable Supply through Diversification -

Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) has reached a final investment decision for its joint gallium production project in Australia carried out via Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd (“JAGA”), a joint venture between Sojitz and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (“JOGMEC”). JAGA was established to pursue a joint study for gallium production in partnership with Alcoa of Australia Limited (“Alcoa”), the Australian subsidiary of leading U.S.-based global aluminum producer Alcoa Corporation. This final investment decision follows feasibility studies conducted at Alcoa’s alumina refineries in Western Australia. The gallium project is being undertaken in partnership with the governments of Japan, Australia, and the U.S. As an off-taker for the project, Sojitz plans to sell the gallium to Japan and other countries with demand.

Gallium has a broad range of applications including LED and compound semiconductor materials, and rising demand in the semiconductor industry is expected to further drive global demand for gallium. Additionally, gallium is recognized as one of the world’s critical minerals by countries including Japan, Australia, the U.S., and Europe. The governments of Australia and Japan recently announced a joint declaration for strengthening collaboration in the critical minerals sector, and both governments have designated this gallium project as a priority initiative.

JOGMEC has been working towards securing stable sources for gallium procurement, while Sojitz has worked in the alumina refining business since 1980. The two parties established a joint venture company to partner with Alcoa on the development of facilities for producing gallium as a byproduct from alumina refining, and the project aims to ensure a long-term, stable supply of gallium. Feasibility studies for the project were conducted at one of Alcoa’s operating alumina refineries in Western Australia. The project has now reached final investment decision and will begin commercial production based on the completion of feasibility studies and verification that began in August 2025. Construction is expected to commence following final site preparations and regulatory approvals.

Sojitz has long been engaged in diversifying supply sources for critical minerals that are indispensable to sustaining and advancing industry, while anticipating society’s needs. Sojitz will collaborate with its partners, JOGMEC and Alcoa, to develop a new supply chain for gallium that contributes to the stable supply of this critical mineral. Through participation in this project, Sojitz strives to fulfill its mission as a general trading company to deliver goods and services where there is a need.

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