West Cobar Reports Gallium Grades Up to 145ppm at Salazar Deposits

Discovery of Gallium at Salazar

West Cobar Metals Ltd has announced the identification of extensive gallium mineralisation throughout its Salazar Critical Minerals Project, located approximately 150km northeast of Esperance in Western Australia. The discovery spans the Newmont and O’Connor deposits, as well as adjacent prospects such as Glenmorangie and Talisker, with assay results revealing gallium oxide grades reaching up to 145ppm Ga2O3 near surface.

Gallium, a critical metal used in the manufacture of semiconductors, computer chips, and advanced technology infrastructure, has gained renewed attention due to recent export restrictions imposed by China. These restrictions have raised concerns about supply vulnerabilities in Western markets, making West Cobar’s findings particularly timely.

Resource Potential and Metallurgical Insights

Historical drilling data re-examined by West Cobar has uncovered significant gallium intersections within and surrounding the existing Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources at the Newmont deposit, which currently hosts 123 million tonnes at 1145ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO). Notably, gallium occurs in saprolite associated with mafic amphibolite, a geological setting also rich in rare earth elements, scandium, titanium dioxide, and alumina.

Metallurgical testwork conducted by Nagrom Laboratories demonstrates that gallium can be effectively recovered alongside rare earth elements and scandium through leaching processes. The tests showed gallium extraction rates between 45% and 82% using hydrochloric acid, with potential for improved recovery through process optimisation. This co-recovery capability enhances the economic attractiveness of the Salazar project.

Strategic Implications and Next Steps

West Cobar’s Managing Director, Matt Szwedzicki, emphasised the strategic value of the discovery, noting the project’s unique mix of critical minerals and the potential to expand resource estimates to include gallium as a co-product. The company is currently reviewing its Mineral Resource estimates for both the Newmont and O’Connor deposits to incorporate gallium, while planning further metallurgical evaluation and exploration drilling to delineate additional mineralisation.

The announcement underscores the growing importance of diversifying supply chains for critical technology metals amid geopolitical pressures. West Cobar’s Salazar project could emerge as a significant domestic source of gallium and rare earth elements, supporting industries ranging from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and defence.

With the global gallium market facing tightening supply, West Cobar’s advancement of the Salazar project places it in a strong position to capitalise on increasing demand for this vital mineral.