West Cobar Metals has announced an initial inferred mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 263 million tonnes (mt) at a grade of 26 parts per million (ppm) gallium for its fully owned Salazar Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia (WA).
The estimate, defined by a 20ppm gallium cut-off, is associated with the Newmont and O’Connor deposits and relates to gallium mineralisation within saprolite clays.
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Previously, the Salazar project, located approximately 120km north-east of Esperance, has been recognised for its significant resources.
These include 230mt of rare earth elements (REEs) at 1,178ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO), with an indicated portion of 44mt at 1,239ppm TREO using a 600ppm TREO cut-off.
Other resources include 15mt of scandium at 153ppm scandium oxide, 42mt of titanium dioxide at 5.2% and 4mt of alumina at 29.7%.
Gallium’s growing relevance amid China’s export restrictions and its inclusion in Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve prompted the re-evaluation of samples from Salazar.
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By GlobalDataMetallurgical tests have shown potential for concurrent recovery of gallium with rare earths and scandium, although additional testing is needed to confirm processing feasibility.
While unweathered bedrock also contains gallium, it was not included in the MRE due to more favourable extraction prospects from saprolitic clays.
Future air core drilling could expand gallium resources at Newmont and O’Connor, while reconnaissance reverse circulation drilling at the Glenmorangie and Talisker prospects has revealed significant gallium intersections, indicating further potential.
Gallium is critical for manufacturing computer chips, semiconductors, defence technologies and internet infrastructure.
West Cobar aims to advance previous metallurgical work by Nagrom, exploring byproduct development pathways involving REEs, titanium dioxide, scandium, gallium and high-purity alumina.
West Cobar managing director Matt Szwedzicki said: “We are pleased to report a very large initial MRE for gallium [Ga] as a byproduct at the Newmont and O’Connor deposits in addition to REEs, titanium dioxide, scandium [Sc] and alumina.
“Gallium is a high-value critical mineral (the current gallium oxide price is circa US$284/kg) which has the potential to enhance the overall project economics. Historical metallurgical testwork undertaken by Nagrom shows that the Salazar clays are amenable to leaching with the recovery of REEs, Sc and Ga concentrates.”
In June 2025, West Cobar completed its acquisition of the Mystique Gold Project, an exploration licence in Fraser Range Province, WA.
