Gallium

Gallium is magnetic and a good conductor of both electricity and heat. There are a few minerals in which gallium forms a significant part. The main gallium‐bearing mineral is gallite. Gallium is recovered as a by‐product of processing bauxite or sphalerite (ZnS) and is found in uneconomic quantities elsewhere. Most gallium today is produced as a minor by‐product of alumina/aluminium production from bauxite ores. The wastes from the manufacture of gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) wafers, because of their purity and availability, are the metal's most important secondary source. Some of the most important uses of GaAs are in: cell phones; military applications; Infrared Emitting Diodes (IREDs); and wireless communications. The most important gallium chemicals currently commercially manufactured are: gallium nitrate, gallium trichloride, gallium trioxide, triethyl‐gallium and trimethyl‐gallium. China, Germany and Kazakhstan have both the largest capacity to produce primary gallium, and are the largest producers.