Companies around the world are scrambling to secure the stockpiles of Germanium and Gallium they need after China announced they were curbing exports of the niche metals in their national defense interests.
Germanium and Gallium are vital metals with multiple industrial applications.
GERMANIUM
Germanium has several industrial applications due to its unique properties. Here are some of the key industrial applications for germanium:
- Semiconductors: Germanium was one of the earliest materials used in semiconductor technology. Although it has been largely replaced by silicon, germanium is still used in some specialized applications, such as high-speed transistors, infrared detectors, and optoelectronic devices.
- Fiber Optics: Germanium is used as a dopant in optical fibers to increase their refractive index, enabling the efficient transmission of signals over long distances. It is also utilized in the production of fiber optic connectors and amplifiers.
- Infrared Optics: Germanium has excellent transmission properties in the infrared range, making it suitable for the production of lenses and windows for infrared spectroscopy, thermal imaging systems, and infrared cameras.
- Solar Cells: Germanium is used in the production of multi-junction solar cells, which are employed in space applications and high-efficiency photovoltaic systems. Germanium-based solar cells can efficiently convert a broader spectrum of light into electricity.
China is the world’s largest supplier of Germanium. Other major suppliers are Russia, Canada, Belgium and the United States.
GALLIUM
Gallium is a chemical element with the symbol Ga and atomic number 31. It is a soft, silvery metal and belongs to the group of post-transition metals. Gallium has similarities to aluminum, and it shares some properties with other elements in its group, such as indium and thallium.
Gallium is not found in its elemental form in nature but is rather obtained as a byproduct of aluminum and zinc ore processing. It is present in trace amounts in various minerals, such as bauxite, sphalerite, and germanite.
Here are some key characteristics and applications of gallium:
- Low Melting Point: Gallium has a relatively low melting point, around 29.7 degrees Celsius (85.5 degrees Fahrenheit), which is just above room temperature. This low melting point makes gallium a unique material with interesting applications.
- Thermometers: Due to its low melting point, gallium is used in some thermometers, particularly those designed for high-temperature measurements.
- Alloys: Gallium is often used as an alloying element with other metals. For example, it forms alloys with indium and tin that have lower melting points than individual metals. These alloys find applications in various fields, such as solders, semiconductors, and electrical contacts.
- Semiconductors: Gallium has semiconductor properties, and it is commonly used in the production of electronic components like transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits. Gallium-based semiconductors, such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN), exhibit high electron mobility and are employed in high-frequency devices, LEDs, lasers, and power electronics.
- Liquid Metal: Gallium has the unique property of being a liquid at or near room temperature. It is often referred to as a “liquid metal.” This property finds applications in heat transfer systems, as a cooling agent for electronic devices, and in certain scientific experiments.
- Nuclear Medicine: Gallium-67, a radioactive isotope of gallium, is used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic imaging, particularly in the detection of tumors and inflammation. It accumulates in areas of active cell growth, aiding in the identification of cancerous cells or sites of infection.
Gallium exhibits interesting properties and finds use in various fields, particularly in electronics and as a component in specialized alloys. Its low melting point and unique characteristics make it valuable for specific applications in industry and research.
Mining Spotlight for Germanium
Ivanhoe Mines, Ltd. (IVPAF) is a Canadian Copper mining company that also mines Germanium. Over the past 12 months, IVPAF has run up from $5.00 per share to $9.34 dollars today, nearing recent highs.
Gallium Mining Stock Spotlight
Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) has made an impressive run-up in 2023 from $400 per share to today’s price of $650.
Stay tuned to Global Investment Daily as we monitor stocks in the mining industry.
