In a significant move to diversify the global supply chain for critical minerals, Alcoa of Australia has signed a joint development agreement with Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd (JAGA) to explore the recovery of gallium at one of its alumina refineries in Western Australia. The announcement, made on August 6, 2025, highlights a strategic push by Japan and Australia to secure a non-Chinese source for this essential metal, which is a byproduct of bauxite refining. Gallium is crucial for a wide range of high-tech applications, including semiconductors, LEDs, and AI-related hardware, with China currently controlling approximately 80% of the global supply. This project, with production projected to begin by 2026, could position Australia as a major supplier of gallium and increase its geopolitical and economic importance.