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Coltan (short for columbite–tantalites and known industrially as tantalite) is a dull black metallic ore from which the elements niobium and tantalum are extracted. The niobium-dominant mineral in coltan is columbite (after niobium's original American name columbium), and the tantalum-dominant mineral is tantalite. [1]
The mineral group tantalite [(Fe, Mn)Ta 2 O 6] is the primary source of the chemical element tantalum, a corrosion (heat and acid) resistant metal. It is chemically similar to columbite , and the two are often grouped together as a semi-singular mineral called coltan or "columbite-tantalite" in many mineral guides.
The research team at the Marropino mine had teamed up with a multidisciplinary team of the University of Glasgow to optimize the recovery of tantalum from its ore, as 50% of the rare metal was usually not extracted and disposed of as mineral waste. [11] The research concluded: [12]
The article AVX's Supply of Tantalum Ore Not Affected by Dar es Salaam Mineral Thefts originally appeared on Fool.com. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days .
Tantalite (coltan) mining can cause health problems for women and children who work in the mines. As more women turn to mining for income, they are performing dangerous tasks such as pounding the stone which contains tantalum. The fibers this releases get into the lungs and affect both women and babies they carry on their backs. [122] "More ...
Kenticha was mined for tantalum from 1990-2017. [5] Peak production from the mine was 90-95 tons of tantalum concentrate per year, valued at $20 million dollars/year. [3] Another sources states that before 2012, the mine produced 275 tons of tantalum/year, which was nearly 14% of global supply. [6]
In its carbide form, tantalum possesses significant hardness and wear resistance properties. As a result, it is used in jet engine/turbine blades, drill bits, end mills and other tools. Cassiterite is the chief ore needed to produce tin, essential for the production of tin cans and the solder on the circuit boards of electronic equipment. [25]
The Three Aloes mine is a large mine located in the western part of Namibia in Erongo Region.Three Aloes represents one of the largest tantalum reserves in Namibia, having estimated reserves of 13.2 million tonnes of ore grading 0.026% tantalum.