The Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (T.I.C.) Material Information

The latest publications relating to Material Information

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Further information

Tantalum (Ta)

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Tantalum and Niobium: Deposits, Resources, Exploration Methods and Market (Simandl et al, 2018) "Much ado about tantalum" by Richard Burt (2016) British Geological Survey (BGS) profile on niobium and tantalum
Kobeite

Gallery: Tantalum minerals

Tantalum (Ta)

All, Assaying, Miners

Minerals containing Tantalum (Ta). All photos copyright T.I.C. 2019
The Anders Gustaf Ekeberg Tantalum Prize

Creating the Ekeberg Prize medal

Tantalum (Ta)

In 2018 the Kazakhstan Mint created a set of medals for the Ekeberg Prize from pure tantalum metal.
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A visual guide to artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) of tantalite

Tantalum (Ta)

All, Miners

In 2013/2014 Ulric Schwela, T.I.C.’s then Technical Officer, visited ASM mine sites in Burundi, DRC and Rwanda. These photographs show typical tantalite ASM processes, although in reality operations vary considerably.
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Harmonised system commodity codes

Tantalum (Ta)

Traders

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
An Ericsson 5G micro base station in an urban environment (photo: Ericsson)

Tantalum capacitors in 5G

Tantalum (Ta)

All, Manufacturing

Tantalum capacitors offer excellent stability in harsh conditions, high energy and power volumetric efficiency and low parametric shift with lifetime, properties which make them ideal in several applications for the
A Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine on a China Southern Airlines A380. © Airbus 2011

Superalloys

Tantalum (Ta)

All

Superalloys are high-performance alloys known for their high melting temperatures, strength, and resistance to wear in corrosive and oxidising environments. They are primarily used in the hottest parts of gas
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Applications for tantalum

Tantalum (Ta)

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Tantalum is widely used in electronic capacitors for smartphones, automotive systems, and wind turbines. It also enhances cutting tools, SAW filters, optical lenses, chemical process equipment, and medical devices like
Processing: extraction and refining

Processing: extraction and refining

Tantalum (Ta)

All, Miners, Processing

The extraction and refining of tantalum, including its separation from niobium in various tantalum-containing mineral concentrates, is generally accomplished by treating the ores with a mixture of hydrofluoric and sulfuric
Mibra mine

Production of raw materials

Tantalum (Ta)

All, Miners

Extraction or production of tantalum raw materials is widespread, encompassing primary industrial mining, artisanal mining, as a secondary mineral, or as a by-product. Brazil is currently the major producer, with
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Valuation basis

Tantalum (Ta)

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To calculate the value of a tantalum mineral, the main principle is that only the quantity of Ta₂O₅ contained is paid for, not the whole bulk of material. Basically, the