Gallium breakthrough for Victory Metals

Victory Metals has confirmed the production of gallium in its final mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product from the North Stanmore project in Western Australia.

This breakthrough not only enhances Victory’s market position but also increases the project’s long-term investment potential.

With its MREC containing 358 grams per tonne (g/t) of gallium oxide, Victory has positioned North Stanmore as one of the most advanced gallium projects in Australia.

The successful recovery was achieved using a low-capex leaching process that extracts gallium alongside rare earth elements, eliminating the need for additional processing stages – an efficiency that could enhance project economics.

“This is a landmark milestone, not just for Victory but for Australia’s position in the global critical minerals landscape,” Victory chief executive officer and executive director Brendan Clark said.

“To our knowledge, we are the first Australian company to confirm the successful recovery of gallium in a final MREC product – and that puts us in a league of our own.”

Gallium is a high-value critical mineral used in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) chips, defence systems, and next-generation communications.

With China – the world’s leading producer – recently restricting gallium exports, global supply constraints have driven up prices and intensified demand for Western-aligned sources.

For investors, this presents a compelling opportunity. Victory’s ability to recover gallium alongside its existing suite of rare earths strengthens the commercial value of its MREC product, creating a potential premium in future offtake agreements.

“The successful recovery of gallium in our MREC further strengthens its commercial appeal and sets Victory apart globally,” Clark said.

Victory is actively working to enhance its gallium extraction capabilities, with the company has appointing ALS Metallurgy in Perth to conduct bulk MREC testwork, optimising gallium recovery while maintaining a high distribution of heavy rare earth elements.

Beyond gallium, Victory’s MREC product already contains dysprosium and terbium – two other strategic minerals also facing Chinese export restrictions.

This diversified mix of high-value critical minerals enhances North Stanmore’s long-term economic potential, making it an increasingly attractive investment proposition.

“We’re advancing discussions with downstream partners across technology, defence, and energy sectors who recognise the importance of diversified supply,” Clark said.