Critica confirms gallium oxide recovery from Australia’s largest rare earth deposit, boosting Western critical minerals security amid global supply concerns.

Critica Limited has confirmed gallium oxide as a recoverable by-product from its Jupiter rare earths deposit in Western Australia, with 63% recovery in tests using its existing process. The deposit, Australia’s largest inferred clay-hosted rare earths resource at 1.8 billion tonnes, contains an estimated 70,000 tonnes of gallium oxide, averaging 39ppm. Gallium concentrates in the same flowsheet used to produce a mixed rare earth product (MREP) with 84% TREO, achieved in late October 2025, without circuit changes. Low uranium and thorium levels meet IAEA safety standards. Ongoing trials with GAVAQ, ANSTO, and Minutech-AMML aim to refine gallium purification and explore germanium and scandium recovery. The discovery gains strategic importance amid global supply concerns, especially as China controls over 98% of global gallium output and restricted exports to the U.S. in 2024. Critica’s progress, including pilot plant operations and bulk test shipments, strengthens its role in advancing Western critical minerals security.