In this study, the interactions of a Sr- and Mg-doped lanthanum gallate (LSGM with composition La 0 . 9 Sr 0 . 1 Ga 0 . 8 Mg 0 . 2 O 3 - δ ) electrolyte with Fe 2 O 3 , Co 2 O 3 and NiO as the anode starting materials were investigated. It was found that the order of reactivity of the LSGM with the three oxides was Co 2 O 3 >NiO>Fe 2 O 3 , and La-containing oxides were detected in these binary powder mixtures after firing. The anode performance was greatly influenced by the interaction. The Fe 2 O 3 -LSGM anode, mixed with 40 vol.% LSGM powder and sintered at 1150 o C, exhibited the highest initial performance in comparison with NiO-LSGM and Co 2 O 3 -LSGM anodes. It seems that Fe 2 O 3 is a possible anode starting material for a LSGM-based solid oxide fuel cell.