Almost all the tantalum produced in the world comes from two countries, even if the statistics hide a secret: the source of almost all the metal is in one country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Tantalum is a key component in many modern technologies, since it is used to produce capacitors, without which there would be no computers and smartphones.

Despite its importance in today’s world, tantalum mining takes place only in very few countries in the world. Most of this rare metal is mined in Rwanda and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), areas that are sadly known for the so-called bloody minerals. These two countries alone represent around 60% of global production.

But the complete picture of the countries that produce the most tantalio in the world is the one that emerges from the ranking that follows, produced thanks to the 2017 data of the US Geological Survey (USGS).

1
RWANDA (mining production: 390 tons)
Rwanda is officially the largest producer of tantalum in the world but, as mentioned, mining in this country is a source of enormous problems and suffering for the local population. Moreover, as everyone knows now, most of Rwanda’s mineral production comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the bloody minerals. In fact, it is currently impossible to know what the real production of Rwanda is.

2
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (mining production: 370 tons)
The country, according to official statistics, produced about 30% of the world tantalum. However, it is believed that production is much greater even if ‘targata’ as Rwanda. Mining practices in the DRC take place in a context of corruption, violence and immoral practices. The United States and Europe have tried to discourage companies from buying bloodied tantalum, but without success. For example, in the US, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and the Consumer Protection Act sought to halt the flow of minerals from the DRC but the Trump administration has expressed a desire to repeal some parts of these laws.

3
NIGERIA (mining production: 190 tons)
It is believed that the nation has large tantalum reserves, although the exact figure remains unknown. Instead, it is known that most of its tantalum comes from the tantalum which is found in the states of Nasarawa, Kogi, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara and Cross Rivers.

4
BRAZIL (mining production: 100 tons)
Brazil, with 34,000 tons of reserves, is one of the two producing countries outside the African continent. The largest tantalum mine in the country is MIBRA, owned by Advanced Metallurgical Group. In light of the problems afflicting Rwandan and Congolese suppliers, Brazil could become a major source for companies worldwide in the coming years.

5
CHINA (mine production: 95 tons)
The country’s output remained stable on an annual basis, increasing only 1 tonne compared to 2016. It is the leading tantalum supplier country for American companies.

Extraction or production of tantalum raw materials of all kinds is widespread, whether by primary industrial mining, artisanal mining, as a secondary mineral or as a byproduct. Brazil is currently the major producer. Significant quantities are also produced in China, the DR Congo, Russia and Rwanda. Additional quantities are produced, some intermittently or at a low level, in Australia, Burundi, France, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Thailand and Zimbabwe.

In the years leading up to 2008 the main mining operations were in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia and Mozambique. Following the world economic crisis the main mining operations in Australia, Canada and Mozambique ceased production. Since then, there has been intermittent production in Mozambique, while Australian production resumed at a reduced level for a seven month period in 2011. In 2012, Ethiopian production was stopped due to transport difficulties preventing export.

In terms of resources, whether currently exploited or not, in addition to Australia and Brazil there are other significant resources in China, the DRC, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Russia and Rwanda. Tantalum is also produced in Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand as ‘tin slag’, a by-product of tin mining and smelting. Tantalum raw materials are also being explored in Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Madagascar, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

MOSTLY LIKELY RESOURCE BASE

Tantalum minerals with over 70 different chemical compositions have been identified. Those of greatest economic importance are tantalite, microlite, and wodginite; however, it is common practice to name any tantalum-containing mineral concentrate as ‘tantalite’ primarily because it will be processed for the tantalum values and is sold on that basis. The minerals are concentrated by physical means at or near the mine site to increase the percentage of tantalum oxide and niobium oxide by weight.

The concentrates are transported to the processors’ works for chemical processing. Tantalum mineral concentrates may contain from two to more than five different tantalum-bearing minerals from the same mining area.The sale of tantalum mineral concentrates is based on a certified analysis for the tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅) they contain, with a typical range from 20% to 60% depending on the mine source.

Overview of Companhia Industrial Fluminense’s Mibra mine at Nazareno, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Itamar Resende)

The single largest operating tantalum mine is the Mibra operation of Companhia Industrial Fluminense in Nazareno. This mine has the capacity to produce 220 tonnes Ta₂0₅ per year which equates to approximately 15% of current global primary production,although the latter are at historically relatively low levels. At 2007-2008 levels the Mibra mine accounted for 5-10% of global primary production.

Additional significant operating mines are the Lovozero mine in Russia,the Yichun mine in China and the Pitinga mine also in Brazil. Significant but closed mines include the Greenbushes and Wodgina mines both in Western Australia, the Tanco mine in Manitoba Canada,and the Kenticha mine (Ethiopia Mineral Development Enterprise) in Ethiopia.

Significant quantities are also obtained from alluvial and soft rock deposits by artisanal mining, primarily in centralAfrica. Individual mines are small and rely on manual tools and labour. Mining investment has been curtailed for many years, whether due to lack of funds or whether due to political instability and associated risk in e.g. the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a result there are no known or measured deposits associated with artisanal production.

In Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand,the tin industry provides tantalum as a component of the tin slag by-product, that arises from the smelting of cassiterite ore concentrates for tin production. Struverite concentrates (a Ti-Nb-Ta mineral) have historically also been available from northern Malaysia containing 9-12% tantalum oxide.

Scrap recycling generated within the various segments of the tantalum industry has for a long time accounted for about 20% of the total input each year, while in 2012 this increased to some 30%.

In summary, the global supply up until 2008 and as of 2012 looked as below, with considerable fluctuation in the proportions between 2008 and 2012.

Source                                                    Percentage 2008         Percentage 2012

A very interesting article which present the real market situation..

“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.

Some price data may be found in the metals press or in publications, whether printed or on the internet. Examples of such press include Asian Metal, Metal Pages, Platts and CRU Prices Service, which regularly publish subscription-based information on market prices. Their web addresses are:

• www.asianmetal.com
• www.metal-pages.com
• www.platts.com
• www.crugroup.com

Additionally, Roskill Information Services publish market reports on both niobium and tantalum. Information on these can be found at:

• www.roskill.com/reports/niobium
• www.roskill.com/reports/tantalum

Please note that the T.I.C. does not verify or monitor the information published on these websites; the T.I.C. can therefore not assume any responsibility or be held liable in any way in relation to the information published on these websites.

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 weight of material is multiplied by the percentage grade e.g. 30%, then multiplied by the pricing rate of X$/lb Ta₂O₅. Note that while our industry statistics have moved to metric units, the traditional valuation basis of $/lb Ta₂O₅ contained is likely to continue.

[Value tantalite] = weight of material x 30% [x conversion to lb if necessary] x X$/lb Ta₂O₅

In theory it does not matter whether the material is 30% or 40%, by applying the percentage the quantity paid for is automatically adjusted; sliding scales according to grade are not known of. There may possibly be fixed discounts or premiums for grades significantly below or above the 30% to 50% range.

The content of Nb₂O₅ in tantalum minerals is ignored as its contribution would generally be minimal due to the price difference between Nb and Ta.

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.

Tantalum Prices and Tantalum Price Charts 

31 Dec 2017 – 52 Week
Tantalite Ore
Price 151.80 USD/kg (124.09 EUR/kg)
Low 123.08 USD/kg
High 151.80 USD/kg