Gallium confirmed in rare earths product at North Stanmore

Victory Metals (ASX: VTM) has confirmed the presence of gallium in its final mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product from the North Stanmore clay-hosted rare earths and critical minerals project in WA.

The announcement positions Victory as one of the most advanced gallium-focused projects in the country, with 358g/t gallium oxide confirmed in MREC produced during metallurgical testing. The company believes it is the first Australian operation to recover gallium in a final MREC product.

Victory chief executive and director Brendan Clark says the achievement strengthens Australia’s critical minerals capabilities.

“To our knowledge, we are the first Australian company to confirm the successful recovery of gallium in a final MREC product — and that puts us in a league of our own,” he said.

“With China’s recent export bans, the world is urgently searching for secure, western-aligned gallium supply and Victory is a potential solution.”

Gallium is considered a high-value strategic metal due to its use in semiconductors, defence systems, AI chips and next-gen communications. Its recovery from North Stanmore was achieved using Victory’s low-CAPEX leaching process and did not require additional processing stages.

The company is now advancing offtake discussions and has commenced work on an upgraded mineral resource estimate to include gallium. Victory’s current MREC also contains high concentrations of dysprosium and terbium, both of which are key magnet rare earths and subject to similar export restrictions from China.

The metallurgical results were based on testing across 57 drillholes at North Stanmore. Initial MREC production was conducted by Core Resources in Brisbane, with ALS Metallurgy in Perth now appointed to undertake bulk testing focused on optimising gallium oxide recovery while preserving high HREE distribution.

“The successful recovery of gallium in our MREC further strengthens the commercial appeal of the product and sets Victory apart globally,” Mr Clark said.

Gallium recovery comes as part of Victory’s broader strategy to deliver a heavy rare earth supply chain from WA. The company is targeting downstream partners across the technology, defence and energy sectors.

Victory says it will continue testing to refine recovery conditions and assess potential for gallium as a commercial by-product, reinforcing North Stanmore’s emerging profile as a strategic rare earths hub.