A London-listed mining firm, Altona Rare Earths, has struck a significant vein of high-grade gallium at its Monte Muambe project, potentially shaking up the global supply chain for this critical metal. The discovery, nestled within the heart of Mozambique’s Tete province, could transform the project’s economics and challenge China’s near-monopoly on gallium production.
The find, revealed gallium concentrations reaching a remarkable 232 grams per tonne (g/t) at the Monte Muambe site, a project primarily focused on rare earths and fluorspar. The most promising intercepts were in the “Fluorite” zone and “Target 6,” notably hole “MM039,” which displayed continuous mineralization from surface to 100 meters deep, averaging 77 g/t gallium, with a high-grade section of 14.89 meters at 141 g/t.
Gallium, a rare metal vital for radar, semiconductors, and LEDs, has become a strategic raw material for several nations, including the European Union. China’s dominance in its production has raised concerns, particularly after a recent export ban to the US sent prices soaring to a 13-year high of $585 per kilogram in December 2024. While prices have since stabilized, the volatility underscores the strategic importance of diversifying supply.
Altona Rare Earths believes this discovery could dramatically enhance the value of the Monte Muambe project, adding a highly sought-after by-product to its rare earth operations. The company is now prioritizing studies to determine the recoverability of the gallium and to precisely define the mineralogy of the deposit.
Further exploration is planned, with Altona set to analyze its existing soil sample database for potential gallium anomalies and expand its drilling program to delineate the full extent of the mineralization.
Alongside the gallium discovery, Altona is progressing with fluorspar exploration at the site. Samples have been dispatched to Peacocke & Simpson laboratory in Zimbabwe for gravity separation and flotation tests. While logistical delays, stemming from recent post-election instability in Zimbabwe, have impacted the timeline, results are expected in April.
The discovery of high-grade gallium in Mozambique presents a compelling opportunity for the nation to become a significant player in the global technology supply chain, potentially reducing reliance on Chinese sources. The implications for the Monte Muambe project, and the broader Mozambican mining sector, are considerable.
