Both are essential dopants in gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors used in 5G wireless and defense radar.
Arsenic: Arsenic is 100% import-reliant for the U.S. and is essential for GaAs semiconductors powering 5G infrastructure and military radar systems.
Gallium: Gallium is essential for 5G infrastructure, defense radar, and next-generation power electronics. China imposed export controls on gallium in 2023, creating immediate supply disruption.
Arsenic: Arsenic is a metalloid added to the USGS Critical Minerals List in 2025. It is a key dopant in gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors used in 5G wireless, radar, and defense electronics. Gallium: Gallium is a critical technology metal used in gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors. GaN chips are the foundation of 5G wireless networks, radar systems, and next-generation power electronics.
As tracked by Critical Minerals HQ, Arsenic is currently $2,400 USD/t and Gallium is $230 USD/kg. The two minerals are quoted in different units (USD/t vs USD/kg), so see the live price panels above for the most recent figures.
Neither is "better" in absolute terms — each is engineered for different end-uses. Arsenic is primarily used for: Gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors for 5G and defense, Wood preservatives (CCA — chromated copper arsenate), Lead-acid battery alloys for improved performance, Agricultural chemicals and specialty glass manufacturing. Gallium is primarily used for: GaN semiconductors for 5G and power electronics, GaAs chips for solar cells and radar, Blue and violet LEDs and laser diodes, Integrated circuits for defense electronics. The right mineral depends on the application.
Arsenic and Gallium are quoted in different units (USD/t vs USD/kg), so a direct numeric rarity comparison from spot price alone is indicative only. See the indexed 25-year chart on the live page for relative scarcity behavior.
Arsenic: Arsenic is 100% import-reliant for the U Gallium: import-reliance figure not specified in our reference text.
Arsenic top producers (USGS): China, Peru, Morocco, Russia. Gallium top producers: China, Russia, South Korea, Japan. The mineral whose first-listed producer accounts for a larger share of global output carries the greater supply-chain concentration risk.
Arsenic: Arsenic is 100% import-reliant for the U.S. and is essential for GaAs semiconductors powering 5G infrastructure and military radar systems. Gallium: Gallium is essential for 5G infrastructure, defense radar, and next-generation power electronics. China imposed export controls on gallium in 2023, creating immediate supply disruption.