Alcoa Corporation and its international partners have held an official groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on a new gallium production plant co-located at the Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia.

The groundbreaking follows a final investment decision announced by Alcoa and its international partners on July 14, 2026, shifting the joint development project from planning into active construction. Alcoa will construct and operate the facility, which brings together government and industry participants from Australia, Japan and the United States to establish a secure and reliable new source of the critical mineral.

The construction phase is expected to generate up to 200 local jobs, while approximately 20 permanent operational roles will be established once the facility comes online.

The new project builds upon Alcoa's broader operational footprint in Western Australia. The company manages multiple bauxite and alumina assets across the region, including the Huntly and Pinjarra mines as well as the Kwinana refinery, leveraging its long-standing experience in advanced mineral processing and alumina refining.

“Alcoa is proud to work alongside our partners in Australia, Japan and the United States to help diversify the global gallium market,” said Alcoa Australia President Elsabe Muller. “We are grateful to have Australian federal Ministers King and Ayres and Western Australian Minister Michael, along with honored guests, be part of today’s event as we showcase Western Australia’s role in delivering essential materials to the world.”

— Elsabe Muller, Alcoa Australia President

Read the full announcement: Australia, Japan, the United States and Alcoa Break Ground on Gallium Project in Western Australia