The global landscape of critical minerals is shifting rapidly, and gallium has emerged from obscurity to become one of the most strategically important metals of the next decade. At the intersection of clean energy, semiconductors, and defence innovation, gallium is no longer a niche by-product. It is a supply chain imperative.
With Australia committing A$1.2 billion to a new Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, prioritising gallium, and with China’s control of global production raising geopolitical concerns, the opportunity for secure, sovereign supply is clear. NIMY Resources is exceptionally well placed to respond. With its gallium discovery at the Mons Belt Project in Western Australia, the company is leading a new chapter in Australia’s critical minerals capability.
Gallium: powering the technologies of tomorrow
Gallium is essential to a range of high-value, high-growth sectors. Its primary use is in gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which enable faster, more efficient power electronics across industries including EVs, 5G infrastructure, data centres, and defence systems.
Because GaN semiconductors operate at higher voltages and temperatures than traditional silicon chips, they are rapidly displacing older technologies in high-performance applications – particularly where energy efficiency and thermal performance are critical. Gallium is also used in photovoltaic solar cells, integrated circuits, and medical imaging systems.
As leading semiconductor manufacturer Infineon states in its 2025 GaN Market Report, gallium-based devices are enabling the shift to next-generation computing and clean energy conversion. Industry analysts at Yole Group forecast the global GaN power device market to grow from USD 407 million in 2025 to over USD 4.3 billion by 2030, reflecting an 889% increase in five years.
A vulnerable supply chain and a global response
Until recently, gallium was treated as a by-product of aluminium processing and was largely overlooked. However, China currently accounts for 95% of global gallium output, and in July 2023, imposed export restrictions on gallium and germanium, both critical for defence and semiconductor applications. The move sparked global concern and accelerated policy responses in allied nations.
This supply vulnerability, paired with gallium’s growing importance in clean energy and defence, has prompted countries including the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia to strengthen domestic supply chains through public funding, strategic stockpiles, and bilateral partnerships.
Australia’s A$1.2 billion critical minerals reserve: gallium in focus
In early 2026, the Australian Government announced the creation of a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, backed by an initial A$1.2 billion investment. The first three minerals prioritised for stockpiling are gallium, antimony, and rare earths, recognising their national security and technological importance.
The Reserve will allow the government to purchase and hold critical minerals for future supply, or to offtake and on-sell to international partners. In doing so, it provides a framework for enabling project development and funding where the private market alone may hesitate.
This Reserve will provide vital support for Australian critical minerals mining and processing projects – creating jobs and ensuring Australia is at the centre of efforts to build stable and reliable supply chains for our international partners,”
— Minister for Resources Madeleine King
The Strategic Reserve complements other federal programs, including the Critical Minerals Facility and international partnerships under the Minerals Security Partnership.
NIMY Resources: unlocking one of Australia’s only gallium projects
In 2023, NIMY Resources (ASX: NIM) confirmed high-grade gallium mineralisation at its Mons Belt Project in Western Australia, co-located with nickel and other critical minerals.
The discovery was announced as part of a broader exploration campaign, and as of November 2023, the company is working toward delivering a JORC-compliant gallium resource to complement its nickel assets.
NIMY Resources is proud to be advancing one of the few gallium discoveries in Australia. With China’s dominance in this market and Australia’s new strategic reserve now prioritising gallium, we are exceptionally well placed to meet growing demand from defence, technology and clean energy sectors,”
— Richard Moody, Investor Relations, NIMY Resources
Drilling to date indicates consistent shallow gallium grades within a larger critical minerals zone, with clear potential for near-term development and long-term strategic value.
Industrial momentum and investor implications
The implications of gallium’s rise are far-reaching. Demand is being driven by:
- Semiconductors and high-performance computing
- Defence systems, radar, aerospace and secure communications
- Grid-scale energy storage and electric vehicle systems
- Telecommunications infrastructure (5G/6G)
As Reuters reported, Australia’s pivot toward gallium follows urgent calls by allied nations to reduce dependency on Chinese-controlled supply chains for sensitive technologies. NIMY Resources is one of the few listed companies in Australia with a credible gallium exploration footprint and real data to back its positioning.
Conclusion: a strategic asset with national relevance
The discovery of gallium at NIMY’s Mons Belt Project comes at a time of global realignment around secure, diversified critical mineral supply. With gallium now recognised as a strategic input into computing, defence and clean energy, and with Australia establishing a government-backed Strategic Reserve to prioritise its development, the opportunity is clear.
NIMY Resources is not only aligned with government priorities, but also uniquely positioned to respond to the global gallium opportunity with a credible, resource-backed, exploration-to-development pipeline.
Cited Sources and Links
- Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve announcement – minister.industry.gov.au
- Reuters: Gallium and antimony prioritised in new Reserve
- Infineon 2025 GaN Market Report (PDF)
- Yole Group – GaN Power 2023 Report
- NIMY Resources – High Grade Gallium Maiden JORC
- NIMY Resources – Gallium Exploration Target Defined
Investor relations disclaimer
This document contains forward-looking statements regarding NIMY Resources Limited (ASX: NIM) and its exploration activities, including but not limited to statements about the potential economic significance of the gallium discovery at the Mons Belt Project. Forward-looking statements are based on NIMY Resources’ current expectations, estimates, and assumptions, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
While NIMY Resources believes the information presented in this article is based on reliable sources, no guarantee is given as to its accuracy or completeness. Investors are cautioned that exploration results, mineral resource estimates, and market forecasts are inherently uncertain, and actual outcomes may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Potential investors should conduct their own due diligence and seek independent financial, legal, and technical advice before making any investment decision regarding NIMY Resources. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in NIMY Resources or any related entity.
For further investor enquiries, please contact: Investor Relations – NIMY Resources Limited