Typical market specifications

Tantalite on the international market generally contains a minimum of 30% Ta₂O₅, while lower grade material with a minimum of 20% Ta₂O₅ may also be of interest. The commercial payable value is based on the Ta₂O₅ content alone, any Nb₂O₅ is generally ignored.

Should material contain mainly Nb₂O₅ and only little Ta₂O₅, then it would be sold as columbite and should contain a minimum of 50% Nb₂O₅. The payable value is based on the Nb₂O₅+Ta₂O₅ content payable entirely as Nb₂O₅; the Ta₂O₅ content is not paid a higher rate.

Other Requirements

Tantalum and niobium raw materials often contain somewhat elevated levels of naturally occurring thorium and uranium, usually high enough for them to be classified as radioactive for handling and transport.  Such raw materials are then also known as Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM).

It is incumbent on any producer or trader to also analyse for Th and U in order to demonstrate whether the material is radioactive or not.  This is reflected in the T.I.C.'s Transport Policy.  As a guide, these elements are of concern for the purpose of mining and handling at levels above 1 Bq/g, a level obtained from e.g. 0.013% ThO₂ plus 0.0048% U₃O₈, whereas for transport alone the levels of concern are an order of magnitude higher, i.e.10 Bq/g or 0.13% ThO₂ plus 0.048% U₃O₈.