Gallium By-Product Boosts Critica’s Rare Earth Project Amid China Supply Controls

Strategic By-Product Unlocks New Value

Critica Limited (ASX, CRI) has taken a significant step forward in advancing its Jupiter Project in Western Australia by confirming that gallium oxide can be efficiently recovered as a by-product alongside rare earth elements (REEs). Metallurgical testwork has demonstrated a 63% leach recovery of gallium oxide within the company’s established beneficiation-first flowsheet, which was originally designed for rare earth extraction.

This breakthrough is notable because it leverages the existing processing circuit without requiring any modifications, thereby enhancing the project’s economics and strategic positioning. The Jupiter deposit, Australia’s largest clay-hosted rare earth resource, contains approximately 1.8 billion tonnes of ore averaging 39 ppm gallium oxide, equating to roughly 70,000 tonnes of contained gallium. Localised zones exceed 50 ppm, underscoring the deposit’s scale and homogeneity.

Geopolitical Context Amplifies Importance

Gallium is a critical metal used in next-generation semiconductors and advanced defense technologies. Currently, China dominates over 98% of the global gallium supply and has imposed export license controls since 2024, raising concerns about supply chain security for Western nations. Critica’s ability to recover gallium alongside rare earths within a Western-aligned, low-risk supply chain enhances its strategic value amid these geopolitical tensions.

CEO Jacob Deysel emphasised that this development is a logical progression of Critica’s systematic flowsheet de-risking program rather than a strategic pivot. He highlighted the imperative for the West to not only access critical minerals but to secure custody of supply, positioning Critica as a key player in this evolving landscape.

Technical Validation and Next Steps

The metallurgical program involved collaboration with international partners including GAVAQ in Vietnam, ANSTO, and Minutech-AMML, focusing on refining the leach and precipitation processes to optimise gallium recovery and product specifications. The company is also investigating other potential by-products such as germanium and scandium.

Critica is currently operating a 3,000 kg closed-circuit pilot plant to generate continuous operating data and produce material for specification work. This pilot phase, running through early 2026, will feed into upcoming scoping and prefeasibility studies, further integrating gallium recovery into the project’s development pathway.

Jupiter’s Unique Profile

The Jupiter deposit’s clay-hosted rare earth mineralisation is characterised by exceptionally low uranium and thorium impurities, which simplifies processing and regulatory compliance. The beneficiation-first approach has already demonstrated a ~95% mass rejection of waste material with an 8-fold uplift in rare earth grades, underscoring the project’s capital-efficient potential.

Critica’s transparent reporting and rigorous QAQC protocols, including independent laboratory verifications and detailed geological modelling, provide confidence in the resource estimates and metallurgical results. The company’s methodical approach to scaling from laboratory to pilot plant operations reflects a disciplined development strategy.