About niobium

Early history

Niobium was the first of these two elements to be discovered. In 1801, Charles Hatchett (1765-1847), an English chemist, analysed a specimen of an unknown mineral from the collection of the British Museum in London. This was a heavy black mineral obtained from the collection of the first governor of Connecticut, John Winthrop, who was an alchemist, manufacturing chemist, physician, and rock collector. The mineral, later called columbite, was found near New London, Connecticut. Charles Hatchett determined that this mineral contained a 'new earth', which implied a new element had been found. He named this element columbium apparently in reference to its source being America.

Typical market specifications

Columbite on the international market generally contains a minimum of 50% Nb₂O₅. The value is based on the combined Nb₂O₅+Ta₂O₅ content payable entirety as Nb₂O₅, there is no premium for the Ta₂O₅ content.

Valuation basis

The T.I.C. as an international association is not allowed to gather data on nor discuss prices, forecasting or future trends, as this would be against our Charter and may raise antitrust and competition law concerns. It is important to understand that there are no official prices for tantalum or niobium commodities, as these metals are not traded on any metal exchange (London Metal Exchange or other). The price is determined solely by negotiation between buyer and seller.

Production of raw materials

The primary mineral from which niobium is obtained is known as pyrochlore. The world's largest deposit is located in Araxa, Brazil and is owned by Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracao (CBMM). The reserves are enough to supply current world demand for about 500 years, about 460 million tonnes. The mining of weathered ore, running between 2.5 and 3.0% Nb₂O₅, is conducted by simple open pit mining without the need for drilling and explosives.

Processing: extraction and refining

Two separate processing schemes are utilized for niobium production. Those companies that mine pyrochlore convert the niobium oxide units into HSLA ferroniobium through the aluminothermic reduction process or by reduction in an electric arc furnace. CBMM has installed capacity for the production of a high purity oxide that can be used to produce vacuum grade ferro- and nickel-niobium as well as niobium metal ingots via electron beam refining.

Applications for niobium

Niobium consumption is dominated by its use as additive to high strength low alloy steel and stainless steel for oil and gas pipelines, car and truck bodies, architectural requirements, tool steels, ships hulls, railroad tracks. However, there are a number of other applications for niobium metal and its compounds.

Harmonised system commodity codes

Developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), this is a six-digit figure for describing internationally traded goods. Individual countries may further extend this code with an additional two or four digits, however these additional digits are not harmonised and may have different meanings from country to country. Below is a list of six-digit HS codes known to apply, or to have applied at some time, to niobium-containing materials.

Further information

T.I.C.'s library of external links and third-party reports related to niobium.