Gallium

A byproduct metal for chips and LEDs, at the center of Chinese export controls.

Overview

Gallium is recovered in small quantities as a byproduct of alumina refining and zinc processing, and China produces nearly all of the world primary supply. It is used in gallium arsenide and gallium nitride semiconductors for radio frequency electronics, LEDs, fast chargers and power electronics, and in some solar cells. China imposed export licensing on gallium and germanium in August 2023 and announced a ban on exports to the United States in December 2024, exposing how concentrated the supply chain is. Western governments and companies responded by studying recovery from existing alumina refineries. Prices are assessed per kilogram by reporting agencies, with Chinese and export prices diverging sharply.