Latest news with #Sojitz
Japan Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan's energy security agency to join gallium production study in Australia
The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) said Monday that it will take part in a joint study for gallium production in Australia in an effort to ensure a stable supply of the critical mineral used to make semiconductors. JOGMEC, a Japanese independent administrative agency, aims to diversify sources of gallium to reduce the country's reliance on imports from China. The agency and Japanese trading house Sojitz have established a joint venture n Western Australia — Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA) — which will conduct a joint study with Alcoa to explore the feasibility of producing gallium at an alumina refinery there owned by the U.S. company. JAGA and Alcoa aim to complete the feasibility study by the end of fiscal 2025 and start gallium production in calendar 2026. According to JOGMEC, Japan imported about 97 tons of gallium out of the 167 tons that the country consumed in 2021. Of the total imports, 57%, or 55 tons, was sourced from China. Japan's gallium imports from China have been on the decline since Beijing tightened export controls on the mineral in 2023.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alcoa and Japanese partners explore gallium production in Western Australia
Alcoa, along with Japanese trading house Sojitz and the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), are assessing gallium production in Western Australia (WA). Alcoa of Australia, a unit of US aluminium producer Alcoa, reached a joint development agreement with Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA), a joint venture between Sojitz and JOGMEC. The companies are evaluating the viability of gallium production at one of Alcoa's alumina refineries in WA. Gallium, a critical mineral for the technology and defence industries, has seen heightened global demand due to market controls in China. The collaboration between Alcoa of Australia and JAGA seeks to diversify the global supply of gallium. This effort comes as both Australia and the US have classified gallium as a critical mineral, with Japan also recognising it as one of the 35 minerals crucial to national security. Alcoa of Australia president Elsabe Muller said: 'This opportunity could deliver additional value from our established operations and further demonstrate how Alcoa's long-standing mineral processing capabilities can be significant in supporting state, national and global objectives in technology and national defence. 'We welcome the opportunity to work with the JAGA partners, including Sojitz, who has considerable connection with midstream gallium refiners and manufacturers and would be an offtake customer in the project.' Sojitz Metals Resources and Recycling Divisional chief operating officer Osamu Matsuura highlighted the project's significance, saying it 'had the potential to introduce supply options for Japanese semiconductor production critical to global downstream processing and manufacturing". The partners are working towards a final investment decision by the end of 2025, with production scheduled to begin in 2026. This is subject to further commercial agreements as well as regulatory clearances. Alcoa has clarified that this venture is not expected to materially affect the company's financial position or operational results. Meanwhile, last month, Alcoa paused growth projects in Canada due to the impact of US tariffs, according to a Bloomberg report. The company is considering seeking support from the Canadian Government to maintain its aluminium operations in Quebec. "Alcoa and Japanese partners explore gallium production in Western Australia" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Japan's Sojitz, JOGMEC team up with Alcoa for gallium study in Australia
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese trading house Sojitz established a joint venture with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) to study gallium production in Australia, Sojitz said on Monday. Gallium, a critical mineral, is used in semiconductors where demand continues to grow with the expansion of electric cars, mobile devices and other electronic items. The joint venture, Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA), signed a joint development agreement with U.S. Alcoa to explore the feasibility of producing gallium at Alcoa's alumina refinery in Western Australia. The companies aim for final investment decision by the end of 2025, Sojitz said on Monday, and production in 2026 with gallium to be sold in Japan and in other countries. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
04-08-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Japan's Sojitz, JOGMEC team up with Alcoa for gallium study in Australia
TOKYO, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Japanese trading house Sojitz established a joint venture with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) to study gallium production in Australia, Sojitz said on Monday. Gallium, a critical mineral, is used in semiconductors where demand continues to grow with the expansion of electric cars, mobile devices and other electronic items. The joint venture, Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA), signed a joint development agreement with U.S. Alcoa (AA.N), opens new tab to explore the feasibility of producing gallium at Alcoa's alumina refinery in Western Australia. The companies aim for final investment decision by the end of 2025, Sojitz said on Monday, and production in 2026 with gallium to be sold in Japan and in other countries.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Champion Iron, Nippon Steel, Sojitz formalise alliance to develop Kami project
Champion Iron has reached a definitive framework agreement with Nippon Steel and Sojitz, forming the Kami Iron Mine Partnership to own and potentially develop the Kami iron ore project in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The partners will initially invest C$245m ($178.4m) for an aggregate 49% stake in the new entity. The agreement was signed between the companies in December 2024. The initial investment is aimed at advancing the project towards an interim investment decision and a definitive feasibility study (DFS). The completion of a DFS is expected by the end of 2026. The agreement outlines a two-step transaction process, with an initial closing expected in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory clearances and customary conditions. At this stage, Nippon Steel and Sojitz will contribute C$68.6m to secure their interests in the partnership. Champion Iron will have a 51% interest post the initial closing, with Nippon Steel and Sojitz holding 30% and 19%, respectively. The second closing, contingent on the initial closing and other conditions, will see the partners contribute an additional C$176.4m following a positive interim investment decision and the DFS. This will set the stage for potential construction, estimated at 48 months post-final investment decision. Champion Iron CEO David Cataford said: "The framework agreement marks a significant milestone for the Kami Project, establishing a clear structure to advance its evaluation alongside trusted partners who share our long-term vision for the growing demand for high-purity iron ore and our commitment to positively impact the communities where we operate. 'Supported by anticipated proceeds and the partners' pro-rata contributions of future expenditures, the partnership will enable us to advance the project without impacting our financial liquidity in the foreseeable future. As we move forward, our focus will shift to identifying opportunities to enhance the project's economics while remaining committed to our disciplined capital allocation strategy." Champion Iron also highlighted that as the project progresses, it continues to advance the environmental impact statement and engage with local stakeholders, including indigenous groups, to ensure the project's 'positive' regional impact. The company is also in talks with various government departments to seek support, given the recent classification of high-purity iron ore as a critical mineral. "Champion Iron, Nippon Steel, Sojitz formalise alliance to develop Kami project" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
