PERTH, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 24, 2026--
Today, the governments and industry partners of Australia, Japan and the United States, together with Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA; ASX: AAI) (“Alcoa”), held a groundbreaking ceremony for the gallium production plant. The ceremony marked the start of construction of the new facility co-located at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260823999597/en/
The gallium project, which Alcoa will construct and operate, brings together government and industry partners from Australia, Japan and the United States, demonstrating the global effort to strengthen critical mineral supply chains.
“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.”
The gallium production plant is expected to create up to 200 local construction jobs and approximately 20 permanent roles once operational.
Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone for the joint venture as it assists the world in advancing a new, reliable source of gallium, and recognizes the role of Alcoa’s Western Australia operations in delivering critical materials essential to the global economy.
About Alcoa Corporation
Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA, ASX: AAI) is a global industry leader in alumina and aluminum products with a vision to build a legacy of excellence for future generations. Since developing the process that made aluminum an affordable and vital part of modern life, our talented Alcoans have developed breakthrough innovations and best practices that have led to greater safety, efficiency, sustainability and stronger communities wherever we operate.
Dissemination of Company Information
Alcoa intends to make future announcements regarding company developments and financial performance through its website, www.alcoa.com, as well as through press releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, conference calls, media broadcasts, and webcasts.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations about the gallium joint development agreement and project, including but not limited to the feasibility and timing of investments and production, and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “aim,” “ambition,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “develop,” “endeavors,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “potential,” “projects,” “reach,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “working,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements by Alcoa that reflect expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Although Alcoa believes that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained, and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements is contained in Alcoa’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alcoa disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Alcoa Australia President Elsabe Muller (third from right) was joined by government, industry and local stakeholders to herald the development of a new, reliable source of the critical mineral. Project partners involved in the groundbreaking event included (left to right): Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Metals, Mineral Resources and Recycling Division at Sojitz Corporation, Mr Katsunori Okada; Australian Minister for Industry and Innovation, Tim Ayres; Director General of the Minister’s Secretariat at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr Kazumi Nishikawa; Alcoa Wagerup Alumina Refinery Operations Manager, Paul Kuczma; Australian Minister for Resources, Madeleine King; Western Australian Minister for State Development, David Michael; and The United States Consul General in Perth, Colleen Altstock.
