Testing – verified by CSIRO analysis – has established muscovite mica as the principal host of gallium mineralisation within the Leliyn graphitic schist, with biotite mica a secondary host of gallium at the project.

Perth’s Independent Metallurgical Operations (IMO) has now started testwork aimed at producing a mica concentrate containing elevated levels of gallium mineralisation.

The mica concentrate will be obtained from material previously used to extract a graphite concentrate and flotation techniques will help float the micas.

Once a mica concentrate is generated, additional work will be planned to assess the viability of extracting gallium or gallium compounds from the concentrate.

If this test work is successful, additional flotation cells to extract mica can be included in future processing designs at the Leliyn graphite project.

Kingsland Minerals (ASX:KNG) managing director Richard Maddocks said this marked an important development in the company’s strategy to unlock value at Leliyn.

“Now we know what mineral hosts the gallium, we can work towards producing a gallium concentrate,” he said.

“It is anticipated that once a gallium concentrate is produced, additional work will assess the viability of extracting gallium and/or gallium compounds from the concentrate.

“It should be noted that gallium production will not be considered in the Leliyn scoping study due for release later in the September quarter”.

Gallium is a soft metal with a melting point near room temperature (30°C) and is a critical component in semiconductors, optical-electronic devices, solar panels and several military applications.

Classified as a critical mineral in Europe, America and Australia, its market is projected to grow from US$2.45b in 2024 to US$21.53b by 2034.

It isn’t mined as a primary ore but is typically produced as a by-product of bauxite and zinc cores.

In December 2024, China banned the export of gallium, along with germanium and antimony, to the US with alternative supplies now becoming a matter of urgency.

Kingsland has already completed an exploration target for gallium at Leliyn and plans to publish a maiden gallium JORC resource later in 2025.

The scoping study for Leliyn is progressing well with completion expected this quarter.