Applying for T.I.C. Membership
The membership of the Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center is composed of companies from the entire niobium and tantalum supply chains, from explorers to miners, traders and processors, through to end users and suppliers of goods and services to the industry.
Corporate Membership
To apply for corporate membership, please complete the Application Form and return it to the Secretariat, duly signed by an officer of the applicant company, preferably the nominated delegate. Contact details for post and fax are shown in the column to the left, or submit the form to info at tanb dot org.
To be considered by each October's General Assembly, the application should be submitted at least one month before the event. To avoid unexpected delays in the application procedure which could prevent an application from succeeding, applicants are encouraged to submit their application well in advance of the above deadlines.
The completed form should include confirmation that the applicant has read and understood the Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Policy of the T.I.C.
It should also be accompanied by a brief description of the applicant company’s activities in tantalum and/or niobium. This is for the information of the member companies which will consider the application at the General Assembly.
The application must be supported by two companies which are already members of the T.I.C., and which are willing to be sponsors of the application. The sponsors must independently confirm their willingness to support the application; they will be asked by the T.I.C. for confirmation so applicants should contact potential sponsors before quoting their names.
When the confirmation of sponsorship is obtained, the T.I.C. will issue an invoice for the first year's membership fee, which is currently EUR 1900. This fee has to be received by the T.I.C. at least one week before the General Assembly. The level of the upcoming year’s fee is set by the Executive Committee of the T.I.C. every April.
Applications for membership are then subject to a vote by the members of the T.I.C. at the General Assembly in October (via anonymous vote by ballot paper). Applicants may not attend the initial administrative session of the General Assembly during which their application is discussed, as this is restricted to the existing membership. Excepting the above, the successful applicant company is then considered to be a member from July 1st of that same year to June 30th of the following year. Regardless of the voting outcome, applicants are free to attend the associated Technical Meeting that follows the administrative session.
Associate Membership
This is available to individuals, academic and government institutions, in general those not involved in commercial activity in the industry. The annual fee for associates is EUR 350. Details and a separate application form may be obtained from the Secretariat.
Benefits of T.I.C. Membership
Activities
The T.I.C. is involved in a wide range of activities, which it undertakes in support of members. These include:
Technical
Liaison with Government and International Organisations on subjects including:
- Supply chain due diligence;
- Transport of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials.
Information Services
Publication of quarterly Bulletin including technical papers and news.
Publication of quarterly statistics of the niobium and tantalum industry production.
Maintenance of a web site news page.
Access to presentations and technical papers from past conferences.
Organisation of members’ meetings
Organisation of an annual General Assembly, associated Technical Meeting and Gala Dinner.
Trade Promotion of niobium and tantalum
Exhibiting and presenting at conferences relevant to the industry.
Member Support Services
Free priority advice from the T.I.C.
The T.I.C. General Assembly
Each General Assembly has a complementary programme of technical presentations and, in most cases, an optional tour of a plant or mine involved with tantalum and/or niobium. See the General Assemblies page for descriptions of previous meetings.
This annual event is the principal global platform for technical papers on niobium and tantalum, with the presentations being covered by the trade press. A key element driving the successful conference is the input of the members into topic selection. Following the meetings, members are permitted access to the presentations and technical papers.
Opportunities
The annual General Assembly ensures all members can participate in the T.I.C.’s governance.
Members are encouraged to submit papers presenting their work at the annual General Assembly's associated Technical Meeting.
Keep up to date with industry issues, including updates on legislation that could affect the industry, as well as involvement in consultation on these subjects.
Getting involved with the association: members are encouraged to pro-actively contribute to the Executive Committee and various Working Groups.
Priority access to technical information and advice.
A name, contact details and core activity entry on the T.I.C. web site.
Right to display the T.I.C. logo on the member company's literature and web site.
Referral from the association when enquiries are received for products or services.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact either the Secretariat of the T.I.C., or any existing member of the T.I.C.
