Western Australia holds the potential to become a global hub for critical minerals, with Curtin University and Nimy Resources undertaking a pioneering research program into processing gallium.
The collaboration, backed by $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 initiative, marks a significant step toward establishing Australia’s first domestic gallium extraction and refining capability.
Gallium is a critical input for semiconductors, smartphones, LED lighting, solar panels, and high-performance electronics, industries that currently depend on a small number of international suppliers with varying reliability.
Australia currently has no established processing capability for the mineral, leaving domestic and global supply chains exposed.
The two-year research program will investigate innovative pathways to concentrate, extract and refine gallium ores locally, with Nimy’s Mons Project in Western Australia serving as the central focus.
Curtin executive director of commercialisation Rohan McDougall said the project directly addressed a strategic gap in Australia’s industrial base.
“Demand for gallium is rising rapidly, so developing local processing capability is critical to ensuring supply chain resilience and supporting the clean energy transition,” McDougall said.
“Sustainable gallium processing in Western Australia would not only strengthen Australia’s sovereign supply of critical minerals, but also deliver vital skills, research opportunities and shared knowledge with the next generation of scientists and engineers.”
Nimy Resources said the MRIWA funding represents a major catalyst for unlocking the Mons Project’s potential. Managing director Luke Hampson framed the initiative as an opportunity to reshape Australia’s role in global technology supply chains.
“By working with Curtin University, we aim to establish Australia’s first gallium processing capability to support global technology supply chains, reduce reliance on international producers and position WA as a global leader in critical minerals innovation,” Hampson said.
The research will be led by Western Australian School of Mines lecturer Dr Jonah Gamutan as chief investigator, spanning three phases: mineral characterisation and process definition; extraction and purification technologies; and compound production and process optimisation.
The program is designed to lay the groundwork for future pilot-scale testing and potential commercialisation.
The project reflects growing momentum around Australia’s sovereign critical minerals agenda, with gallium increasingly seen as a strategic asset in the global race to secure supply chains for clean energy and advanced technology industries.
Read more: Five key gallium and antimony projects to watch in 2026
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