Rio Tinto plans to establish a demonstration plant capable of producing up to 3.5 tonnes per annum (tpa) of gallium. Credit: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.

Rio Tinto is advancing its research and development programme to explore gallium extraction from bauxite at its alumina refinery in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada.

The potential gallium extraction process could significantly impact the global supply of this critical mineral.

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If successful, Rio Tinto plans to establish a demonstration plant capable of producing up to 3.5tpa of gallium.

The Government of Quebec has pledged up to C$7m ($4.8m) to support the demonstration phase.

Canada Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne said: “When it comes to critical minerals, Canada has all it takes to be the global supplier of choice and that is why our government is proud to work with key industry actors like Rio Tinto.”

A commercial-scale plant could eventually produce 40tpa of gallium, accounting for 5–10% of the current global production.

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Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Jérôme Pécresse said: ‘‘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.’’

Gallium is essential in manufacturing integrated circuits for high-performance radar, smartphones, electric cars and laptops.

Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions Maïté Blanchette Vézina said: “I am delighted to support this project, which promotes the acquisition of cutting-edge knowledge in the transformation of gallium, a critical and strategic metal in Quebec and around the world.”

Rio Tinto, known for producing aluminium, copper, iron ore and titanium dioxide, also manufactures critical minerals like scandium, tellurium and molybdenum at its North American facilities. The company is also exploring the extraction of new materials from its existing operations.

In another development, Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (RTEC), a Rio Tinto subsidiary, commenced its initial exploration programme at Saga Metals’ Legacy Lithium Project in Quebec’s James Bay region earlier this year.

Saga Metals entered a joint venture agreement with RTEC in July for this lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite exploration, covering 34,243 hectares.

The two companies have formed a technical committee to oversee exploration strategies including the current programme.

This collaboration aims to enhance the understanding and potential of the Legacy Lithium Project.