Mount Ridley Mines Unveils Massive 838.7Mt Gallium Resource in WA
Mount Ridley Mines reports a maiden inferred gallium resource of 838.7 million tonnes at its Mt Ridley Project, marking a significant step in Australia's critical minerals landscape amid global supply chain shifts.
- Maiden inferred gallium resource of 838.7Mt at 29.3 ppm Ga
- Resource spans three blocks with 24,584 tonnes contained gallium
- Strong association with heavy rare earth elements and scandium
- Project benefits from proximity to infrastructure near Esperance
- Advancing metallurgical testwork and strategic advisory partnerships
A Landmark Gallium Discovery
Mount Ridley Mines Limited (ASX, MRD) has announced its maiden Gallium Mineral Resource Estimate at the Mt Ridley Project in Western Australia. The inferred resource totals an impressive 838.7 million tonnes at 29.3 parts per million (ppm) gallium, equivalent to 24,584 tonnes of contained gallium metal, reported at a 25 ppm cut-off grade. This milestone confirms Mt Ridley as a significant new player in the critical minerals sector, particularly as gallium gains strategic importance globally.
Three Distinct Resource Blocks with Multi-Element Potential
The resource is delineated across three main blocks, Block 1 (Central Gallium Zone) with 164.1Mt at 29.8 ppm Ga, Block 2 (Northern Extension) with 372.2Mt at 30.3 ppm Ga, and Block 3 (Mia Prospect and Eastern Area) with 302.5Mt at 27.8 ppm Ga. Notably, Blocks 1 and 2 show strong correlations between gallium and heavy rare earth elements (HREE), as well as scandium, suggesting a multi-element regolith-hosted system that could enhance project economics.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure Advantages
Located northeast of Esperance, the Mt Ridley Project benefits from established port, road, and power infrastructure, facilitating future development logistics. The mineralisation extends over 25 kilometres in strike with an average width exceeding three kilometres and occurs at shallow depths from four to sixty metres, making it amenable to open-pit mining methods.
Responding to Global Supply Chain Dynamics
Gallium’s critical role in semiconductors, LEDs, photovoltaics, and emerging technologies has driven demand growth, compounded by China’s recent export ban on gallium. This geopolitical shift has heightened the urgency for alternative supply sources. The recent Australia-US Framework for Securing Supply in Critical Minerals underscores the strategic importance of projects like Mt Ridley, positioning Mount Ridley Mines to contribute to allied supply chains outside China.
Advancing Metallurgical and Advisory Programs
Mount Ridley is actively pursuing metallurgical testwork focused on recovering gallium alongside rare earth elements through innovative hydrometallurgical processes, including acid leaching and solvent extraction. The company is also expanding its advisory team with experts in rare earth processing and critical minerals policy, aiming to refine development pathways and secure strategic partnerships.
Outlook and Next Steps
While the resource is currently classified as inferred, indicating moderate confidence, the extensive drilling coverage and geological continuity provide a solid foundation for further resource definition. Planned drilling will target untested extensions, particularly in Blocks 1 and 2, to upgrade resource classification and expand the mineralised footprint. The project’s multi-element nature and strategic positioning make it a compelling asset in the evolving critical minerals market.
Bottom Line?
Mount Ridley’s maiden gallium resource sets the stage for Australia’s emerging role in diversifying global critical mineral supplies.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing metallurgical testwork impact the recoverability and economics of gallium and rare earths?
- What timelines are anticipated for upgrading the resource classification from inferred to indicated or measured?
- How will Mount Ridley leverage the Australia-US critical minerals framework to secure funding and partnerships?
