en.Wedoany.com Reported - Curtin University and Nimy Resources have jointly launched a pioneering research project focused on gallium processing. Western Australia has the potential to become a global hub for critical minerals.

The project, funded with AUD 550,000 from the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) and co-funded by Nimy Resources and Curtin University's Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer program, marks a significant step toward establishing Australia's first domestic gallium extraction and refining capabilities.

Gallium is a critical raw material for semiconductors, smartphones, LED lighting, solar panels, and high-performance electronics, industries that currently rely on a handful of international suppliers with varying degrees of reliability. Australia currently has no established gallium processing capabilities, exposing domestic and global supply chains to risk.

This two-year study will explore innovative pathways for local concentration, extraction, and refining of gallium ore, with research focused on Nimy Resources' Mons Project in Western Australia. Rohan McDougall, Executive Director of Commercialisation at Curtin University, stated that the project directly addresses a strategic gap in Australia's industrial base.

McDougall noted that demand for gallium is growing rapidly, and developing local processing capabilities is crucial for ensuring supply chain resilience and supporting the clean energy transition. Sustainable gallium processing in Western Australia will not only strengthen Australia's supply autonomy for critical minerals but also provide skill development and research opportunities for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Nimy Resources stated that the MRIWA funding is a key catalyst for unlocking the potential of the Mons Project. Managing Director Luke Hampson views this initiative as an opportunity to reshape Australia's role in the global technology supply chain. By collaborating with Curtin University, the company aims to establish Australia's first gallium processing capability to support global technology supply chains and reduce dependence on international producers.

The research, led by Dr Jonah Gamutan, Lecturer at the Western Australian School of Mines, will be conducted in three phases: mineral characterization and process definition, extraction and purification technologies, and compound production and process optimization. The project aims to lay the groundwork for future pilot-scale testing and potential commercialization, reflecting the growing momentum of Australia's sovereign critical minerals agenda, with gallium regarded as a strategic asset in the global race to secure supply chains for clean energy and advanced technology industries.

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