Gallium identified at Teck-Hughes and Sylvanite tailings projects

The presence of Gallium, in addition to Tellurium, has been identified in all assays of the available 15 holes to date, which has the potential to significantly increase the value of these two highly prospective projects and position them as a sustainable domestic source of gold and critical minerals for Canada.

Gallium and Tellurium are recognised by Canada as critical minerals that are key to the global energy transition. In 2024, China accounted for approximately 98% of Gallium and 76% of Tellurium production globally whilst Canada has no domestic production of Gallium and production of Tellurium was just 27 t.

Highlights

• Gallium averaging approximately 17 g/t present in all available 15 holes based on ICP analysis.
• Mineralisation from surface up to 7.32 m depth with all holes ending in mineralisation.
• Consistent Gallium grade range across and throughout all holes.
• The sites are mine waste material already crushed to fine particles suitable for reprocessing.
• Further sampling and metallurgical work will be undertaken as part of an optimisation phase of the proven Teck Hughes concept.
• Gallium and Tellurium are recognised as critical metals by Canada.
• As at 18th April 2025, Gallium is trading at approximately US$246 /kg, Tellurium trading at approximately US$102 /kg.
• Teck Hughes and Sylvanite with a combined estimate of approximately 10 million t of mine waste have the potential to become sustainably sourced multi commodity assets with gold, silver, gallium, and tellurium identified to date.

Ryan Mee, Chief Executive Officer of Fulcrum, commented:

“This is potentially a significant development. Our tailings projects are emerging as a sustainable source of gold and now critical minerals which play a pivotal role in the global energy transition. Our focus remains on gold, however the identification of critical minerals as potential additional products at our tailings projects could deliver tangible value at a time of a changing political landscape in which Canada and the West are looking to reduce the reliance of supply from China.

“We will need to carry out more detailed sampling and metallurgical testing to ascertain and evaluate the potential impact of these critical minerals and others not yet assayed for, which will be factored into the next steps of optimising and scaling the initial proven concept at Teck Hughes.

“Having historical tailings already at surface and crushed suitable for reprocessing, combined with proven extraction technology, and the Ontario government's streamlined mineral recovery framework to come into effect on 1 July 2025, provides a government backed pathway to producing sustainable domestic gold and critical minerals for Canada.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/22042025/gallium-identified-at-teck-hughes-and-sylvanite-tailings-projects/